Global stroke deaths expected to rise to nearly 5mn by 2030: Study.

ISLAMABAD -- The number of deaths worldwide from ischemic stroke increased from 2 million in 1990 to more than 3 million in 2019, and is expected to increase to nearly 5 million by 2030, according to a study.

Ischemic stroke is caused by a blockage of blood flow to the brain and is the most common type of stroke.

"This increase in the global death toll of ischemic stroke along with a predicted further increase in the future is concerning, but ischemic stroke is highly preventable," said Lize Xiong, from Tongji University in Shanghai, China.

"Our results suggest that a combination of lifestyle factors like smoking and a diet high in sodium along with other factors such as high blood pressure and high body mass index can lead to an increased risk of stroke," Xiong added.

The study was published in the medical journal Neurology.

For the study, researchers analysed data from the Global Health Data Exchange, from 1990-2019.

As the world population grew, the global number of ischemic stroke deaths increased from 2.04 million in 1990 to 3.29 million in 2019, Medical Daily reported.

However, the stroke rate decreased from 66 strokes per 100,000 people in 1990 to 44 strokes per 100,000 people in 2019.

"This decrease in the stroke rate likely means that the overall increase...