[Health Tip] Stroke, the World's 2nd Leading Cause of Death... "Time is Life"

Experts advise that quick action, such as visiting a hospital, is necessary when stroke symptoms appear.

According to Korea University Guro Hospital, a stroke refers to a condition where a sudden problem with the brain's blood vessels causes brain damage. Ischemic stroke, where blood flow to the brain is blocked, and hemorrhagic stroke, where a blood vessel bursts, are types of stroke.

According to the 2022 annual report published by the World Stroke Organization, stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, with 12.2 million new stroke cases occurring each year. The report also states that one in four people aged 25 and older will experience a stroke in their lifetime. In South Korea, the number of stroke patients is also on the rise. According to statistics from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of patients visiting hospitals for stroke was 620,000 in 2021, an 8% increase over five years compared to about 570,000 in 2017.

The causes of stroke are diverse. Hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, heart diseases including arrhythmia, smoking, drinking, and obesity are all contributing factors. In particular, untreated hypertension can lead to various complications, including stroke. Generally, people with hypertension have a two to four times higher risk of stroke compared to healthy individuals, with hypertension being the most important cause of hemorrhagic stroke.

In cases of diabetes or heart disease, the incidence of ischemic stroke is higher. Diabetic patients have about twice the frequency of stroke compared to normal individuals and also have a higher mortality rate. Among heart diseases, atrial fibrillation, a type of arrhythmia, and valvular disease can increase the risk of stroke by up to 17 times.

The main symptoms of stroke include ▲ weakness on one side of the face or limbs ▲ numbness or reduced skin sensation ▲ tingling sensations ▲ severe headache or dizziness ▲ sudden loss of vision or double vision (diplopia) ▲ inability to understand others' speech or slurred speech.

Since stroke is caused by problems in the brain's blood vessels, symptoms typically appear suddenly. If symptoms worsen gradually, it is less likely to be a stroke. Paralysis usually affects only one side of the body. Paralysis affecting both legs or both arms alone is less likely to be caused by stroke.

Because stroke is directly related to the brain, rapid response is crucial. Stroke is not only a major cause of death but can also lead to serious neurological sequelae after treatment and cause various complications that make daily life difficult. Therefore, if any suspected symptoms are detected, immediate hospital treatment is necessary.

Stroke is diagnosed through specialist examination and brain imaging, followed by appropriate treatment. In ischemic stroke, thrombolytic agents are administered to dissolve the blood clot blocking the brain vessel, or thrombectomy is performed. In hemorrhagic stroke, treatment to control brain pressure is provided, and emergency surgery may be required if the bleeding is extensive.

Stroke can be prevented by controlling risk factors through improved diet and exercise. To prevent hypertension, one of the most important risk factors, blood pressure can be managed through regular exercise, stress control, and reducing salt intake. Reducing the intake of simple sugars and avoiding animal fats and trans fats in the diet are also important for stroke prevention.

Professor Kim Chi-gyeong of the Department of Neurology at Korea University Guro Hospital emphasized, "The sooner patients visit the hospital after stroke symptoms occur, the more effective the treatment and the lower the risk of side effects. It is important to avoid salty foods and diets high in animal fats and trans fats, maintain regular exercise, manage stress, quit smoking, and limit alcohol consumption to prevent stroke."

Meanwhile, October 29th each year is World Stroke Day, designated by the World Stroke Organization (WSO). World Stroke Day was established to raise awareness about the risks and high incidence of stroke and to improve understanding of prevention and treatment.

Professor Kim Chi-kyung, Department of Neurology, Korea University Guro Hospital. [Photo provided by Korea University Guro Hospital]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.