Round-up of Stroke News - September 2025
This month's selection includes a highly promising AI diagnostic tool that could radically improve recovery prospects for stroke-affected people.
Every month we are now bringing you a round-up of the latest news on stroke from around the world. We do hope you find it helpful! Just click on the pink links to read each story... and remember to click on this story during the month for more updates.
Stroke centres in England given AI tool that will help 50% of patients recover
A new AI tool has been introduced at all 107 stroke centres which could transform the care of the 80,000 people who have a stroke in England each year. The announcement came on the final day of the European Society of Cardiology congress in Madrid, the world’s largest heart conference.
Quicker treatment means that the proportion of patients recovering with no or only slight disability – defined as achieving "functional independence" – has tripled from 16% to 48% in NHS pilots of the system.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/sep/01/stroke-centres-in-england-given-ai-tool-that-will-help-50-of-patients-recover
Doctors find drug that is better than aspirin at preventing heart attacks and strokes
The international team of medics behind the study, from countries including the US, UK, Australia, Switzerland and Japan, said the results showed that clopidogrel was “superior” to aspirin and should lead to “extensive adoption” of the drug in clinical practice worldwide.
Long-term results show surgery and stenting are equally protective against stroke resulting from carotid artery disease
Long-term results from the largest randomized trial of stenting and surgery have shown that the procedures are equally protective against stroke resulting from carotid artery disease.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-term-results-surgery-stenting-equally.html
Inflammation may explain why women with no standard modifiable risk factors have heart attacks and strokes
Cardiologists have long known that up to half of all heart attacks and strokes occur among apparently healthy individuals who do not smoke and do not have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, the "standard modifiable risk factors" which doctors often call "SMuRFs."
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-inflammation-women-standard-factors-heart.html
Is stroke a consequence of stress?
A study published in the journal Stroke suggests a link between perceived chronic stress and an increased risk of both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.
https://www.ahchealthenews.com/2025/08/20/is-stroke-a-consequence-of-stress/
“Stroke recovery is a shared experience”
“This transitional period may evoke feelings of uncertainty and can be overwhelming, frustrating, and even isolating for all those involved. At times like this, many find it helpful to lean into mental health resources like peer-led support groups that cater to both individuals recovering from a stroke and their loved ones.”
Mary Ann Wissman, MSN, RN, HN-BC, Neuroscience Community Outreach Coordinator of Parkview Health, and members of the Stroke Survivors Support Group, in their own words, reflect on the ways these meetings have helped them feel more understood
https://www.parkview.com/blog/stroke-recovery-is-a-shared-experience
EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison says she’s ‘retraining brain’ after life-changing stroke
The actor, who played Heather Trott on the BBC soap, was struck down with the illness in May, which she described as “one of the lowest times in my life”.
Photo by Museums Victoria on Unsplash
