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World Stroke Day 2024

World Stroke Day highlighting the importance of finding strength through support, and how connecting with other stroke survivors is invaluable to people’s recovery

World Stroke Day on October 29th provides an annual focal point for stroke awareness activity around the world. This year our campaign highlights the importance of stroke prevention. Stroke is a leading cause of death and devastating disability. 1 in 4 people is estimated to have a stroke in their lifetime. Every 3 seconds, someone, somewhere, is struck by a stroke. It means over 12 million people suffer from stroke each year; of these 6.5 million will die. For the stroke survivors, the effects can be devastating. Families shattered, lives changed forever, and yet, stroke remains a silent epidemic that desperately needs a louder voice. Hope remains as actually 90% of strokes could be prevented.

Understanding Stroke: A Global Health Challenge

Stroke is a global health issue that affects millions of people annually. Some key global stroke facts include:

  1. High incidence and mortality rate: Every year, approximately 12 million people suffer a stroke worldwide. Of these, around 6.5 million die, and another 5 million are left with long-term disabilities.
  2. Leading cause of disability: Stroke is one of the leading causes of severe, long-term disability worldwide, often affecting mobility, communication, and quality of life.
  3. Age does not discriminate: Although the risk of stroke increases with age, strokes can affect people of all ages, including children.
  4. Gender differences: Men have a higher risk of stroke at younger ages than women, but women experience more strokes over their lifetime, partly due to longer life expectancy.
  5. Economic burden: Strokes not only affect the individual but also place a substantial economic burden on families, healthcare systems, and societies as a whole due to costs related to treatment, rehabilitation, and lost productivity.

Types of Stroke

There are two primary types of stroke:

  • Ischemic Stroke: This is the most common type, accounting for around 87% of all strokes. It occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery leading to the brain, depriving brain cells of oxygen.
  • Hemorrhagic Stroke: This type occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, leading to bleeding within or around the brain. This can be caused by factors like high blood pressure or aneurysms.

A transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a “mini-stroke,” is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain and serves as a warning sign for potential future strokes.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Stroke

Early recognition of stroke symptoms is essential, as prompt medical intervention can prevent long-term damage and improve the chances of recovery. The acronym FAST is commonly used to remember the key symptoms:

  1. F – Face drooping: One side of the face may droop or feel numb, often noticeable when the person tries to smile.
  2. A – Arm weakness: The person may experience weakness or numbness in one arm and may struggle to raise both arms.
  3. S – Speech difficulty: Speech may be slurred, or the person may have trouble speaking or understanding others.
  4. T – Time to call emergency services: Time is of the essence in stroke treatment. Promptly call emergency services to get medical help immediately.

Additional symptoms that may accompany a stroke include:

  • Sudden confusion or trouble understanding speech
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden difficulty walking, dizziness, or loss of balance
  • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Stroke Prevention: Reducing Your Risk Factors

1. Healthy diet: Consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help reduce stroke risk. Limiting salt, saturated fats, and added sugars is also important for maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

2. Regular exercise: Physical activity not only helps maintain a healthy weight but also lowers blood pressure and improves cardiovascular health. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week.

3. Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol: Smoking significantly increases stroke risk as it damages blood vessels and raises blood pressure. Limiting alcohol consumption also helps, as excessive drinking can increase blood pressure and stroke risk.

4. Managing chronic health conditions: Hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol are major risk factors for stroke. Working closely with healthcare providers to manage these conditions is essential to reduce the risk of stroke.

5. Stress management: Chronic stress has been linked to higher blood pressure and unhealthy behaviors, such as overeating and inactivity. Finding healthy ways to manage stress, like mindfulness or regular physical activity, can contribute to stroke prevention.

6. Regular health screenings: Regular check-ups with a healthcare provider can help identify potential risk factors early, allowing for intervention before a stroke occurs.