[Click! Health] Sudden Facial and Limb Paralysis, Speech Impairment Occurs

On World Stroke Day (29th), the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency emphasized the importance of recognizing the early symptoms and response measures of stroke, which ranks among the top causes of death in South Korea.

Stroke is a condition where blood vessels are blocked or burst, causing damage to brain tissue. When a cerebral blood vessel is blocked and part of the brain is damaged, it is called cerebral infarction, and when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures causing blood to accumulate in the brain and damage it, it is called cerebral hemorrhage. Cerebral infarction accounts for 80% of strokes.

More than 100,000 patients suffer from stroke annually, and the number is gradually increasing. From 2018 to 2022, the number of stroke patients receiving treatment increased by 7.1%, and medical expenses also rose by 29.0% during the same period. Last year, stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases ranked 5th as causes of death in South Korea, dropping one rank due to the impact of COVID-19. However, concerns remain that the number of stroke patients will rise again due to the rapid aging trend.

The Disease Control and Prevention Agency stated that since stroke symptoms appear suddenly, it is important to be well aware of them beforehand.

For example, if paralysis occurs on one side of the face, arm, or leg, or if sudden speech difficulties, dizziness, visual disturbances, or severe headaches occur, these may be warning signs of a stroke. In such cases, one should call 119 for help and get to the nearest specialized hospital or emergency room as quickly as possible.

The golden time for stroke treatment is known to be within 3 hours of onset. However, it is reported that fewer than 30% of patients meet this time frame.

In addition to disease-related risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, stroke can also be caused by lifestyle-related factors such as smoking, drinking, obesity, and lack of physical activity. Maintaining healthy habits in daily life, such as quitting smoking, moderating alcohol consumption, managing stress, and maintaining an appropriate weight, is also important.

Ji Young-mi, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, emphasized, “Starting appropriate treatment within 3 hours of stroke onset can save lives and reduce the risk of disability, so it is crucial to recognize early symptoms well.”

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