Every year, millions of people worldwide face the daunting challenge of stroke, a life-altering medical event.
In recognition of this global issue, the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA is gearing up to commemorate World Stroke Week and World Stroke Day 2023, an initiative aimed at raising awareness, promoting prevention and improving medical care for stroke.
Stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, leading to brain cell damage, disability or even death. This formidable health crisis is on the rise, with the World Health Organisation reporting 15 million stroke cases annually.
What’s startling is that over 12 million people worldwide will experience their first stroke this year, and tragically, 6.5 million will lose their lives to it. Surprisingly, more than 110 million people worldwide have encountered a stroke during their lifetime.
The impact of stroke knows no age boundaries, as over 60% of strokes afflict people under 70 and 16% affect those under 50. This silent health crisis falls within the category of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which account for over 60% of global deaths, with 80% of these occurring in low and middle-income countries.
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South Africa, being classified as an upper-middle-income country, is not exempt from this health concern. Worryingly, it is anticipated that NCDs will surpass all other causes of death in Africa by 2030.
To spotlight the gravity of the stroke crisis and the importance of prevention, the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA participates in World Stroke Week (WSW) and observes World Stroke Day (WSD) on 29 October during WSW.
This annual health campaign aims to educate and inform, making people more aware of stroke symptoms, reducing the incidence of strokes and ultimately preventing them.
In 2023, the focus is on increasing awareness of stroke risk factors and the importance of recognising the signs of a stroke. The theme for this year is ‘Together we are #Greater than Stroke.’ It emphasises post-stroke care, rehabilitation and the importance of support networks within friends, communities and family.
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Recognising stroke symptoms is a critical first step. Remembering the acronym FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) can help identify these signs. FAST stands for:
- Face: Check if one side of the face droops.
- Arms: Ensure both arms can be raised evenly.
- Speech: Listen for slurred words or difficulty speaking.
- Time: If any of these signs are present, act quickly and call emergency services.
To reduce the prevalence and incidence of strokes and other cerebrovascular diseases, it is vital to address key risk factors. While some factors are uncontrollable, such as age, sex and family history, others can be managed through health-seeking behaviours.
Up to 70% of strokes can be prevented by adopting healthy habits. These include maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, not smoking, effective stress management, controlling chronic illnesses like hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Adopting these habits can not only reduce the risk of a first stroke but also significantly decrease the risk of recurring strokes in stroke survivors.
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The Heart and Stroke Foundation SA is dedicated to promoting cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health through various initiatives. These include health promotion activities, health risk assessments, information tables and health talks.
The foundation’s Heart Mark (HM) endorsement programme helps consumers identify heart-healthy foods and the FAST heroes campaign leverages children’s enthusiasm for learning to raise awareness of stroke symptoms.
Additionally, the foundation advocates for policies like the Sugar Sweetened Beverage Tax, Tobacco Sin Tax and salt legislation to minimise the risk of heart and stroke diseases.
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Picture: Ali Hajiluyi / Unsplash
