Introduction

Patients with spinal cord injuries are at a greatly increased risk for stroke and cardiovascular disease

Patients with spinal cord injuries are at a greatly increased risk for stroke and cardiovascular disease

A Canadian health survey showed 2.72-fold increased odds for heart disease and a 4-fold increased risk of stroke among patients with spinal cord injury, according to Jacquelyn Cragg, MPH, of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, and colleagues.

The authors noted that with advances in treatment of potentially fatal conditions associated with spinal cord injury, such as septicemia, renal failure, and pneumonia, cardiovascular risks have taken over as the leading cause of mortality among patients with injured spines.

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