Stroke in the Ederly

Published at 13 March 2025

75% of all stroke cases occur in people over the age of 65, so here's everything about stroke in older people. (1)

Stroke in the elderly

Stroke is a Medical emergency and it occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing damage to it and leading to the death of its cells. (6)

There are two main types of stroke: (2) (7)

Ischemic stroke (clot in the brain): It occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery that carries blood to the brain. This is the most common type of stroke, accounting for 87% of cases.
Hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain): It occurs when a weak blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds, and represents 13% of cases.

Symptoms of stroke in the elderly

Symptoms of stroke in geriatrics include: (3)

Sudden numbness, and unilateral facial weakness, hands, and feet.
Sudden confusion.
Difficulty speaking or understanding speech.
Weakness or loss of vision in one or both eyes.
Difficulty walking.
Dizziness.
Vertigo and loss of ability to coordinate body movement (Ataxia).
Sudden severe headache for no apparent reason.

Have you noticed any of the above symptoms in your father or grandfather? Head straight to the emergency department At Al-Ahli Hospital. Our department is equipped with a team of qualified and well-trained professionals to deal with strokes with precision and speed.

Causes of stroke in geriatrics

A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is reduced or stopped; Due to blockage or rupture of one of the main arteries in the brain, which causes the death of brain cells. The likelihood of obstructed or ruptured arteries increases with age. (4)

There are many other factors that increase the chance of an elderly person suffering from a stroke, including: (5)

Suffering from some health problems, such as: hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, obstructive sleep apnea, and cardiovascular disease.
Having a family history of strokes.
Unhealthy lifestyle, such as smoking, being overweight or obese, and lack of physical activity.
Gender: Men are more susceptible to strokes than women.
Use of hormonal medications such as estrogen.

Stroke treatment in the elderly

Immediate emergency treatment for a stroke is important to save the patient's life and protect him from long-term disability. The faster the treatment, the better the results.

The treatment method depends on the type of stroke he suffers from. The doctor first determines the type of stroke (Ischemic stroke or Hemorrhagic stroke) by taking a detailed image of the brain immediately after arriving at the hospital: (2)

Below is a summary of how stroke is managed, depending on its type:

Ischemic stroke:

Medications:

Clot-dissolving drugs, these are medications given intravenously to help dissolve the blood clot and restore blood flow to the brain again. To be effective, it must be given no more than 3-4.5 hours after the stroke. (9)

Surgery:

Catheter thrombectomy: Through a brain catheter, a blood clot is removed from a blocked artery.
Widening the narrowed artery and installing a stent with a catheter: Through the catheter, the doctor can use a balloon to widen the narrowed artery. A small stent can then be placed in the artery to keep it open and reduce the chance of it narrowing again. (2)

Hemorrhagic stroke

Treatment includes finding the source of the bleeding and controlling it, by performing surgery to stop the bleeding and relieve pressure on the brain due to the accumulated fluid. (2)

Could you have a stroke again?

Surviving a stroke does not mean complete safety, as the risk of having another stroke later increases significantly: (8)

1 in 4 Stroke survivors have another stroke within 5 years.
The risk of having another stroke within 90 days of having a transient ischemic attack (TIA) increases to 17%, with the greatest risk during the first week.

For this reason, it is important to treat the underlying causes of stroke, including heart disease, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes. While adhering to the medications prescribed by the doctor, most notably blood thinners, in addition to lifestyle changes, such as healthy food and exercise. (8)

Stroke prevention in the elderly

Here are some tips to protect yourself and reduce your chance of stroke as you get older: (2)

Manage your blood pressure this is done through frequent checking of blood pressure, and following the doctor’s instructions to lower it.

Quit smoking: Smoking causes clogged arteries, which increases the chance of strokes.

Manage your cholesterol levels: Talk to your doctor if you suffer from hi hypercholesterolemia. He will give you medications and advice to help manage the levels and reduce your chance of strokes.

Control diabetes: if you suffer from diabetes, adhere to medications and your doctor’s advice to manage your blood sugar levels, as not managing it may cause damage to the blood vessels in the brain, which increases the chance of strokes.

Follow a healthy diet: Eat a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits and low in carbohydrates and saturated fats.

Do exercise: Make exercise part of your daily routine. For example, try walking or jogging for 30 minutes a day.

Stick to blood thinners: Do not forget to take the blood thinners that the doctor prescribes for you in the correct dose and commit to review visits.