Stroke prevalence has already surpassed pandemic levels. 1 in 4 persons above the age of 25 experiences a stroke globally. In Bangladesh, the prevalence of stroke is 11.39 per thousand people. After heart failure, stroke is the leading cause of adult male mortality in Bangladesh.
People have been getting strokes because of excessive blood pressure, diabetes, and bad lifestyle choices. In Bangladesh, one of the main causes of stroke is a decrease in physical activity. Dietary, pharmacological, and lifestyle adjustments could potentially lower the number of stroke patients by 70 per cent.
Stroke affects about 20 lakh people annually. Strokes have been the leading cause of disability in the country. If a patient arrives within four and a half hours of the onset of the stroke, it is possible to save the patient and reduce the risk of paralysis.
For the brain to work correctly; it needs oxygen and critical nutrients. Blood carries these necessary components to the brain. A stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is somehow disrupted. The two causes of brain blood supply obstruction are blood vessel blockage and blood vessel rupture. The areas of the brain where blood flow is restricted are damaged by stroke. As a result, the lack of oxygen causes the brain tissues to perish.
A study conducted by the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital titled 'Prevalence and risk factors of stroke in Bangladesh' says the rate of stroke prevalence is 11.39 per thousand people in Bangladesh. The prevalence is higher at 30.10 per thousand among the elderly and male population aged 60 and above. The prevalence of stroke among males was 13.8 per thousand which was almost double that of females at 8.68 per thousand. At the same time, the stroke prevalence is slightly higher in rural areas, at 11.85 per thousand, compared to urban areas, where it is 11.07 per thousand.
When a blood vessel that supplies the brain with oxygen and nutrients is blocked, an ischemic stroke happens. Doctors attempt to remove the obstruction and swiftly re-establish blood flow to the brain to treat an ischemic stroke. The most common type of stroke in Bangladesh, accounting for 79.7 per cent of cases, is an ischemic stroke. Hemorrhagic strokes, which account for 15.7 per cent of cases, are also common.
The symptoms can be remembered by FAST, which means F stands for contorted face, A for weak or paralyzed arm, S for slurred speaking, and T stands for time, i.e., getting to the hospital as early as possible. The symptoms of a stroke are balance problems, slurred speech, abrupt loss of vision, dizziness, unconsciousness, paralysis on one side of the body, etc.
Strokes are preventable, and there are treatments for strokes. Fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk by 60 per cent. A stroke patient needs more awareness to reduce stress. The treatment of acute strokes is a new beginning in Bangladesh. If a patient visits a stroke centre within four and a half hours of having a stroke, the medication is given after the patient has a CT scan. It is administered via injection, and it treats stroke-related paralysis and side weakness. As a result, the patient has good chances of making a recovery.
Prof Dr Md Shafiqul Islam is an endovascular neurosurgeon at Dhaka Medical College Hospital
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