Chennai: Stroke has over the years become the second cause of disability and death worldwide.
World Stroke Day was observed recently. The message of this year’s World Stroke Day is ‘Join The Movement’. It indicates that one in four of us could have a stroke.
According to experts, being active reduces our risk of having a stroke. This is the time to reiterate and reinforce the need for solutions to treat acute stroke patients timely to reduce disability and prevent further strokes.
Burden of stroke affects more the individuals from resource-poor countries where there is scarcity of essential services like swift and specialised treatment, prevention and rehabilitation. Incidence of stroke varies in different countries.
In India, the estimated incidence is about 120-145/100,000 population. After a stroke, 20-40 per cent of them die.
within one month and 30-50 per cent are left with moderate to severe disability. Stroke burden affects not only the individual but the family and society as well and has a huge economic underpinning and hence the importance of early recognition and treatment.