World Stroke Day: October 29th 2017

Worldwide, 1 in 6 Persons Will Have A Stroke in Their Lifetime

Stroke is the #2 cause of death worldwide and the #1 cause of adult disability accounting for 1 in 10 deaths and resulting in a total of 44 million years of healthy life lost each year. It can attack any person at any age and impact survivors, family, friends, workplaces and communities. October 29th is ‘World Stroke Day’ and joining hands one day together, on this day (Oct 29), can help fight stroke 365 days a year.

What is Stroke?
Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. When a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures (or bursts), it results in stroke. When this happens, a part of the brain is denied of blood (and oxygen) and the brain (including the brain cells) dies therefore.

Brain is the power house of various body functions. When stroke occurs, blood flow cannot reach the region that controls a specific body function and this body part becomes dysfunctional. Ischemic (caused by clot) stroke, hemorrhagic (caused by rupture) stroke and transient ischemic attack (mini stroke caused by a temporary blockage) are the three types of stroke. Although 1 in 4 stroke survivors is at risk for another stroke, the good part is that up to 80% of second clot-related (ischemic) strokes may be preventable.

More than 90% of strokes are linked to 10 key risk factors which include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, diet, physical activity, obesity, high blood cholesterol, carotid artery disease, peripheral artery disease, atrial fibrillation, other heart disease and sickle cell disease. On World Stroke Day this year the focus is on preventing stroke, raising awareness of stroke risks and demonstrating the steps all of us can take to prevent stroke.

F.A.S.T
The sooner we treat stroke, the better it is for the patient. F.A.S.T is how we learn the warning signs of stroke:
F-Face drooping
A-Arm weakness
S-Speech difficulty
T-Time to call ambulance

Stroke can affect a person on your street, workplace, store or shop. If you are equipped with the ability to recognize the warning signals and call an ambulance, it could save a life or make the difference between total recovery and long-term disability. Remember, stroke is mostly treatable-it depends on getting the right treatment at the right time.

It’s Possible to Prevent Stroke
It’s mostly in your hands to reduce the risk of stroke:

1. Eat a healthy diet.
2. Stay on a healthy weight.
3. Do exercise and be physically active.
4. Quit smoking and restrict alcohol consumption. More than 1 in 10 strokes are linked to smoking.
5. Keep high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes under control.
   
   

A registered dietitian nutritionist is versatile in treating obesity, suggesting healthy weight loss plans and recommending the suitable physical activity for a person wanting to stay on a healthy weight. Visit the website www.firsteatright.com to get in touch with such reputed RDNs.
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Act Right Now!
Some person in some place dies from stroke every six seconds and two-thirds of individuals who have suffered from stroke live in the low- and middle-income countries where health systems and nutritious food are challenging and limited. ACT NOW because:

• Stroke is a global epidemic that threatens lives, health and quality of life of people, right from a newborn baby to an aged person.
• We are now armed with the knowledge and sources to reduce the risk of stroke and treat patients efficiently.
• More attention can be given to rehabilitation stroke survivors to improve their overall health.
• It helps to raise awareness to people residing in every nook and corner of the world.