Reported in The Star (24 & 25/4/07) pertaining to some of the following startling statistics of strokes:

·         Six new cases of stroke occur every hour in Malaysia

·         It is the third largest cause of death in Malayisa.

·         Hypertension, which is a major risk factor for stroke, is scarily becoming prevalent among Malaysians. According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey in 1986, hypertension was prevalent among 14.4% of adult Malaysians aged 30 years and above. In 1996, the figure jumped to 29.9%, which is equivalent to a 100% increase 

 ·         About 52,000 Malaysians suffered strokes annually when it is the most preventable of all life-threatening health problems.

·         In 2005, 17,909 stroke victims were admitted into government hospitals alone throughout the country. Of these, 3,245 of them were fatal. By 2020, this figure is expected to exceed 25,000 every year. 

·         Hypertension and stroke, the silent killers, are not “old folk’s” illnesses any more. Such cases have been recorded among those in the prime of their lives, some in their 30s. These younger people are getting fatter because of not eating right and working long hours and not exercising much. 

Basics on Stroke: 

Stroke is a form of cardiovascular disease that attacks the brain’s blood vessels. The affected part of the brain starts to die.

Symptoms of Stroke include:

·         Feeling weak, numb or paralyzed on one side

·         Unable to speak or understand clearly

·         Dizziness

·         Loss of balance or coordination

·         Blurry or loss of vision

·         Sudden severe headache

Risk factors:

·         High blood pressure

·         Heart disease

·         Cigarette smoking

·         High red blood cells

·         Transient Ishaemic Attacks ( mini strokes)

·         Diabetes mellitus

·         Contraceptives

·         High cholesterol

·         High alcohol intake

·         Physical inactivity

·         Obesity

·         Hereditary

·         Being a male

·         Middle aged

·         Once a stroke occurs, the risk of a second stroke is between 10% and 20% in the first year.

How to avoid a second stroke?

·         Surgery, drugs, hospital care and rehabilitation.

 ·         Regularly check your blood and sugar levels

http://www.nasam.org/   :  National Stroke Association Of Malaysia: