World Stroke Day: 4 Ways to reduce your risk

World Stroke Day is the right time to discuss a disease that far too many South Africans believe is confined to the elderly. Stroke is the fourth biggest natural cause of death in South Africa, where every day 360 people get a stroke and out of those, 110 people die and 90 are left with a life-changing disability.

ALSO READ: 4 Signs someone’s having a stroke

A stroke is a brain attack. It happens when the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut off. It can be caused by a blockage or a bleed. Without blood, brain cells can be damaged or die. This damage can have different effects depending on where it happens in the brain. It can affect the body, mobility and speech, as well as how patients think and feel. The type of disability caused by a stroke depends on the extent of brain damage and what part of the brain is damaged.

It’s been proven that time lost is brain lost and every minute that treatment is delayed, more of your brain is damaged.

“The amazing reality is that the vast majority of strokes are preventable. Educating people about stroke has all sorts of positive ramifications. While prevention tops the list, another key is teaching the warning signs and to react immediately.” says Angels Initiative project lead, Carica Combrink.

In fact, you’ve already seen it. It’s the message from the Angels Initiative stroke campaigns, which uses a simple acronym to help you learn to spot a stroke F.A.S.T:-

The warning signs of stroke are (F)ace drooping, (A)rm drifting and (S)peech slurred, and seeing any of those means it is (T) time get to an emergency unit fast.

It is important to make yourself, your family and friends aware of the signs of stroke as minutes matter when treating stroke. Strokes can be reversed if blood flow to the brain is restored. This needs to be done at an appropriately equipped medical facility – so know where the nearest one to you is located and how to get to it should you need to. Planning for an emergency can make all the difference.

While it is important to talk about early identification and treatment, it is just as important to talk about prevention. Many strokes—perhaps the majority of them—are preventable. Here’s how:

• Know your personal risk factors for stroke, including high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, elevated cholesterol and atrial fibrillation.
• Control or manage these conditions by working with your healthcare providers.
• Be active, exercise and engage in physical activity every day.
• Choose a healthy diet.

In line with this year’s theme #UpAgainAfterStroke: Support for Life After Stroke, it is important to realise that strokes are life-changing events that can affect a person both physically and emotionally, temporarily or permanently. After a stroke, successful recovery will often involve specific rehabilitative activities including physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and support from friends and family.

“It is important to emphasise a significant element in the fight against stroke that is easy, quick, free and potentially life-changing and rather than focusing on alarming statistics, I prefer encouraging people to focus on the benefits of good health. Whatever you enjoy doing, you can do more of it, for longer,” concludes Ms Combrink.

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