Genetic Counseling in Nursing: Addressing Non-Modifiable Stroke Risk Factors and Ethical Considerations in Genetic Screening for Stroke Prevention

Abstract Stroke is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in all parts of the world and there is increasing evidence of the role played by genetic and other non-modifiable risk factors in the development and progression of stroke. The stroke genomics progress has greatly enhanced the knowledge of hereditary predisposition, which can be used to identify individuals at risk at an earlier stage and guide preventive measures. Nevertheless, the adoption of genetic screening in normal clinical practice presents challenging ethical, psychosocial, and professional dilemmas, especially in nursing. This narrative review critically discusses the importance of genetic counseling in nursing practice with respect to non-modifiable risk factors of stroke and the ethical aspect of genetic screening in stroke prevention. Based on recent genomic, clinical, and nursing research, the review is a synthesis of the existing knowledge on the genetic architecture of stroke, the clinical value of genetic screening, and the role of nurses in interpreting genetic data into patient-centred care. The review indicates that although genetic screening has a potential in personalised prevention, issues associated with informed consent, privacy, discrimination, and psychological effects are still among the major concerns. It concludes that successful application of genetic counseling into nursing needs increased genomic literacy, ethical competence, and supportive policy frameworks to guarantee equitable and accountable application. Keywords: Stroke genetics, Genetic counseling. Non-modifiable risk factors, Genetic screening ethics, Stroke prevention,