Pope Francis Had Health Issues That Increase Stroke Risk

The Vatican said on Monday that Pope Francis died of a stroke, followed by a coma and the collapse of his cardiovascular system. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, either because of a clot or bleeding in the brain. The declaration of death said Francis had Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, both of which can increase the risk of stroke.

He also had a chronic lung condition called bronchiectasis, which can weaken and enlarge the airways and leave them more susceptible to infection. When an infection occurs in a patient with bronchiectasis, "what can sometimes happen is things go from bad to worse," said Dr..



.. Nina Agrawal.