Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Hypertension or high blood pressure, often referred to as the "silent killer", is the primary cause of stroke worldwide, said Dr. Suhail Abdulla Alrukn, Consultant Neurology and Head of the Stroke Program at Rashid Hospital.
In an interview with Aletihad on the occasion of World Stroke Day, annually observed on October 29, Dr. Alrukn, who is also the Adjunct Professor of Neurology at Dubai Medical College, stressed the crucial need for increased stroke awareness.
"In the Middle East, we have observed that almost 70 to 75 percent of stroke patients have a history of hypertension or are at risk of high blood pressure upon emergency presentation," he said.
He noted that high cholesterol stiffens arteries, increasing blood pressure and stroke risk, while 25-28 percent of stroke patients have blood sugar issues that impair small vessels.
Using the acronym FAST (face droop, arm weakness, speech difficulty, and time to call emergency services), he highlighted the significance of promptly identifying stroke warning signals and the pressing need for treatment.
Dr. Alrukn added that exercising three to four times a week for 30 minutes can reduce stroke risk by 25-30 percent, noting that cardiac diseases, especially atrial fibrillation, pose significant risks for those over 65.
In differentiating between stroke and heart attack, Dr. Alrukn stated: "Heart attacks manifest as chest pain, shortness of breath, and left shoulder pain. Conversely, a brain stroke stops blood circulation in the brain due to ischemia, typically caused by blockage in an artery, accounting for 80 percent of strokes. The remaining 20 percent result from bleeding due to ruptured blood vessels."
Dr. Alrukn provided practical lifestyle tips aimed at preventing strokes.
"First, we need to cut our salt intake by 50 percent. Second, individuals with high blood pressure, diabetes, or cholesterol issues must seek medical advice to manage these conditions effectively. For optimal health, we recommend maintaining blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, and LDL cholesterol."
He further stressed the significance of physical activity, quitting smoking, and weight management in lowering the risk of stroke. According to Dr. Akrukn, stroke treatment has progressed in the UAE over the last decade.
"Ten years ago, there was only one stroke centre in the UAE; today, there are approximately 12, a twelve-fold increase in capacity," he said.
Furthermore, the UAE is at the forefront of the use of RAPID, a sophisticated software programme that allows specialists to evaluate brain scans for possible acute stroke treatments including thrombolysis and thrombectomy in less than 30 seconds.
Dr. Alrukn indicated that the "golden window" for intervention is during the first four and a half hours after symptoms start, stressing the need for public awareness and prompt action in stroke therapy.
Delays can have dire consequences, as "every one minute, two million brain cells die," he noted, stressing that stroke is a treatable disease with immediate medical attention.
Also speaking to Aletihad, Dr. Victoria Mifsud, a staff physician at the Neurological Institute of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, discussed the demographics most at risk for stroke, particularly middle-aged individuals.
"Stroke actually tends to happen more in older people... the older one gets, the risk of stroke increases," she said.
Younger individuals, she added, may also face higher stroke risks from conditions like clot formation or structural heart issues.
She also highlighted the importance of recognising stroke signs-sudden weakness, balance issues, vision changes, facial asymmetry, speech difficulties, and arm weakness.
"If a person has any of these symptoms that are sudden in onset, it is time to seek medical advice immediately," advising going directly to a stroke centre rather than a general hospital.
"Being treated in a stroke centre and admitted to a stroke unit results in better outcomes and survival," she added.
She also addressed stroke recurrence, noting that global rates range from 8 percent to 12%, and stressed that while a second stroke cannot be completely prevented, promptly managing risk factors after the first is crucial.
