Simple steps to prevent stroke
Prevention as the “very best” medicine for stroke, is being drilled into our brains, as National Stroke Day is marked today (February 25).
“Around 90% of strokes are preventable because they are due to ‘modifiable’ risk factors or risks that are within our power to change,” reiterates the President of the National Stroke Association of Sri Lanka (NSASL), Dr. Gamini Pathirana.
Here is a chilling fact – stroke is very common and 1 in 4 Sri Lankans is susceptible to stroke within their lifetime.
The factors that help prevent stroke, according to this Consultant Neurologist of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL), are:
- Strict control of high blood pressure, diabetes and lipids (cholesterol or fatty compounds)
- Reduction of obesity
- Stopping smoking immediately
- Stopping the intake of alcohol
- Avoiding stress
- Exercising
Dr. Pathirana explains that obese people are at risk of developing Obstructive Sleep Apnoea which is a risk factor for stroke. Thus weight reduction would help to reduce this risk. (Obstructive Sleep Apnoea causes a cessation or significant decrease in airflow when breathing while asleep).
Some of the other risk conditions which could lead to stroke, meanwhile, are certain cardiac conditions. These include the time after a heart attack (post-myocardial infarction); atrial fibrillation (random contraction of the heart’s upper chambers); left ventricular aneurysms (a bulge or weakened area in the wall of the ventricle); and carotid stenosis (narrowing due to lipid build up of the carotid arteries which deliver oxygenated blood to the brain).
In the unfortunate event of someone being struck down by a stroke, Dr. Pathirana stresses the need for those around him/her to see the signs and rush that person to hospital.
Dr. Gamini Pathirana
He points people in the direction of how to recognize a stroke at home or the workplace.
- ‘FAST’ – Face, Arms, Speech, Time
- Face weakness: Can the person smile? Does one side of the person’s mouth droop (deviate)
- Arm weakness: Can the person raise both arms?
- Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
- Time: Call an ambulance immediately. (Please see graphic)
It is better to try and take such a patient to a hospital which has CT scanning facilities and a Physician or Neurologist in attendance as time is of paramount importance, says Dr. Pathirana, stressing that the Suwa Seriya ambulance service (1990) is very good. It will take the person to the right hospital.
He points out that it is also important for the person who accompanies the patient to give certain information to the doctor – the time of onset of the stroke; any previous major illnesses; what medication the patient is on – for vital decisions on the treatment regimen.
“Stroke is an emergency and emergency treatment is available at hospital,” assures Dr Pathirana, explaining that hand-in-hand with treatment would also be rehabilitation which is a must to ward off or reduce disability. Such rehabilitation must start within the golden window of the first few weeks and months post-stroke and should be carried out the scientific way through therapists.
Stroke has a wide spectrum, it is learnt, including being a possible cause of dementia (loss of thinking, remembering and reasoning); epilepsy in adults (being prone to seizures); and Parkinsonism [slowed movements, rigidity (stiffness) and tremors].
He adds that stroke not just gives a severe blow to the person affected but also to his/her family, society and country. This is why there is an urgent need to prevent stroke but if a person gets a stroke, to seek treatment immediately.
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