10 Nov 2025 • New data showed that higher cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) burden sharply increased stroke risk in older adults, independent of conventional vascular factors.

In a cohort of 1,154 adults (mean age 71) free of prior stroke or dementia, 8% suffered a stroke over 8.6 years. Individuals with three or more CSVD markers—including cerebral microbleeds, severe perivascular spaces, extensive white matter hyperintensities, covert brain infarcts, and cortical superficial siderosis—had a 2.6-fold higher stroke risk (HR 2.62). Each 5% rise in the Framingham Stroke Risk Profile corresponded to a 16% increase in risk.

These findings highlight that incorporating CSVD assessment into routine evaluations could identify high-risk patients earlier and guide timely preventive interventions.

Source: Journal of American Heart Association | Read Full Story