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Cocaine increases stroke risk

Young adults are six to seven times more likely to suffer from an ischemic stroke (caused by blood clots) within 24 hours of using cocaine.

The US study also found that cocaine presented a much higher risk to stroke than did other known factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking.

Researchers analysed around 2000 people aged 15-49, half of whom had an ischemic stroke between 1991-2008.

Of the participants, only a third underwent toxicology screenings during their hospitalisation. Researchers believe that all hospitals should screen their young stroke patients for drugs.

Read more at American Heart Association

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