COVID-19 and stroke: A neurological perspective

The risk factors for stroke increase with age. During the pandemic, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become another risk factor for stroke. Although in its infancy, emerging data suggest that COVID-19 not only increases the risk of stroke, especially in the elderly, but also its severity. Thromboembolic events leading to a hypercoagulative state appear to be the leading mechanism. This chapter provides an overview of our current knowledge of COVID-19 being a risk factor for stroke. The epidemiology, risk factors, pathology, and mechanisms of COVID-19-mediated stroke are discussed from a neurological perspective.