Speakers stress prevention, not cure

One in every six people gets a stroke during his or her lifetime, World Stroke Day observed to create awareness.

ISLAMABAD: “One in Six: Act Now!” is this year’s theme for World Stroke Day that is observed annually on October 29. While the theme emphasises that one in every six people gets a stroke during his or her lifetime, the day aims to reduce the number of stroke victims by creating awareness.

Shifa International Hospital on Friday organised a seminar in the hospital premises to mark the day.

Speaking on the occasion, Consultant Neurologist of Shifa International Hospital Dr Arsalan Ahmed
said, “A stroke is a medical emergency and can cause permanent neurological damage, complications, and even death.” He said every two seconds one person suffers a stroke; every six seconds a person dies of stroke, while another’s quality of life will be changed forever as he
will become physically disabled.  He said one out of every three stroke victims ends up dying, while the rest become physically disabled. About 25 to 50 per cent of these individuals become physically dependent on others.

Consultant and Head of Neurology Division of Shifa Hospital Dr Ismail Khatri said that stroke can be caused by a sudden interruption of blood flow to an area of the brain. The reason could be a blockage in a blood vessel in the brain constricting blood flow, or a ruptured blood vessel resulting in bleeding and depriving other parts of the brain from blood and oxygen. As a result, the affected area of the brain fails to function. Symptoms range from numbness in body parts, headache and impaired vision, cognition and body balance, to loss of eyesight and inability to move limbs or an entire side of the body. He said strokes can also be caused as a result of diabetes, obesity, excessive smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, among others.

“However stroke is treatable if given medication in the right time but its prevention needs to be given more importance,” said Dr Ahmed. He expressed his concern over unavailability of data on stroke patients in the country and said that only few hospitals in the country are collecting data for it. He said it is unfortunate that the medicine that could be the best option in reversing effects of stroke, called “thattissue plasminogen activator (tPA),” is not registered or available in Pakistan. Dr Khatri added, “Treating stroke patients all over the world is expensive but taking preventive measures is costless.”

The Express tribune tried to contact Rashid Jooma, Director General Health of the Ministry of Health, but he was unavailable to comment.

If this medicine is given to a stroke patient within four and a half hours of the attack, the effects of the stroke can be reversed. The patient can be saved from taking secondary medications for this entire life. “We have requested
the Ministry of Health to register this medicine but have not received any response from,” he added.

He said a healthy life style and balanced diet can be the best option to avoid strokes. He emphasised on a “six-point campaign” to prevent strokes, which includes keeping good health, being physically active, exercising regularly, controlling body weight and avoiding alcoholic drinks and smoking cigarettes.

He said that stroke was previously considered a disease of old age, but now with the change in diet patterns and lifestyle, the disease has become common among young people aged between 30 to 35 years, both male and female. The stroke mortality rate among young people is 30 to 35 per cent, which is higher compared to aged people. He said the frequency of stroke victims is increasing in the country with the increase in the number of people reaching old age.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2010.