Higher stroke risk seen overall, and higher risk of acute myocardial infarction seen in those with Down syndrome under 40 years of age
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, May 15, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Individuals with Down syndrome are at increased risk of poor cardiovascular outcomes, according to a study published online May 7 in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
Annie Pedersen, Ph.D., from the Institute of Biomedicine at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, and colleagues used national registries to identify 5,155 individuals born in Sweden between 1946 and 2000 with Down syndrome, as well as matched controls (1:50). Cardiovascular risk was compared between the groups.
The researchers found that Down syndrome was associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke (hazard ratio [HR], 4.41) and hemorrhagic stroke (HR, 5.14). Risk of acute myocardial infarction was similar between the groups, overall, but was increased in younger individuals (under 40 years) with Down syndrome. In people with Down syndrome with selected atherosclerotic (HR, 12.67) and embolic (HR, 10.35,) risk factors, risk of ischemic stroke was even higher, compared to controls without risk factors.
“Our results indicate a different spectrum of cardiovascular risk factors in Down syndrome, which might have implications for screening measures as well as primary and secondary prevention strategies,” the authors write. “These findings should inform future studies that aim to further investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases in Down syndrome, as well as health care systems developing guidelines fitted for the unique needs of the Down syndrome population.”
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