WORLD STROKE DAY 29TH OCTOBER 2024

The World Stroke Day campaign this year by World Stroke Organisation is channelling the emotional power of sport to drive stroke awareness and to motivate us all to take action every day to reduce our stroke risk. By taking action as a global community we can be #GreaterThanStroke, which is the theme of this year’s World Stroke Day.

Let’s go back to some basics on stroke. There are two types of stroke, namely ischaemic stroke and haemorrhagic stroke. An ischemic stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or reduced. This prevents brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients.. Another type of stroke is a haemorrhagic stroke. It occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or bursts and causes bleeding in the brain. The blood increases pressure on brain cells and damages them.

A stroke is a medical emergency. It's crucial to get medical treatment right away. Getting emergency medical help quickly can reduce brain damage and other stroke complications.

Major risk factors for stroke include uncontrolled hypertension, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, high blood cholesterol levels and smoking, among others.

Symptoms of stroke include:

1. Trouble speaking and understanding what others are saying,
2. Numbness, weakness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg over one side of the body. Also, one side of the mouth may droop when trying to smile.
3. Problems seeing in one or both eyes.
4. Headache. A sudden, severe headache may be a symptom of a stroke. Vomiting, dizziness and a change in consciousness may occur with the headache.
5. Trouble walking. Someone having a stroke may stumble and lose balance or coordination.

 

Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a stroke, even if they seem to come and go or they disappear completely. Think "FAST" and do the following:

1. Face. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
2. Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? Or is one arm unable to rise?
3. Speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the person's speech slurred or different from usual?
4. Time. If you see any of these signs, call 999 or emergency medical help right away.

 

Dr. Navin Kumar A/L Devaraj

Senior Lecturer and Family Medicine Specialist

Department of Family Medicine

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Date of Input: 29/10/2024 | Updated: 29/10/2024 | nadia_rahman