High stroke impact in low- and middle-income countries examined at 11th World Stroke Congress in Montreal
The ongoing 11th World Stroke Congress discussed the impact of high stroke incidence in low- and middle-income countries. It also deliberated on developing new uniform strategies across the globe to halt this new epidemic.
Low-and middle-income countries have the highest burden of stroke but have minimal resources to combat it because of a lack of awareness and absence of resources.
This issue will be discussed today at the World Stroke Congress in Montreal with the presentation of an action plan by Dr. Mayowa Owolabi of Nigeria. Owolabi is from Lancet Neurology Commission on Stroke in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.
“Low- and middle-income countries bear over 80 per cent of the global burden of stroke, but have less than 20 percent of the global resources to combat it,” said Dr. Owolabi.
The aging population, high burden of non-communicable diseases and the increases in risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes are driving up stroke rates.
Strokes occur, on an average, 15 years earlier in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries
Strokes occur, on an average, 15 years earlier in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. Dr. Owolabi is championing a prevention and treatment action plan to reduce premature mortality from stroke by one-third by 2030 and substantially improve stroke services across the globe, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
“Only successful collaborations can improve care and recovery, especially for women, who have poorer functional outcomes and lower quality of life than men after stroke,” said Dr. Aleksandra Pikula, a stroke neurologist with expertise in stroke in young adults/women at the University Health Network in Toronto.
According to the first state level disease burden study 2017, stroke was the fifth leading cause of death in India in 2016.
Stroke occurs when blood stops flowing to a part of the brain due to a blockage or bleeding occurs in the brain as a result of a ruptured blood vessel. This interruption in blood flow or bleeding into the brain leads to damage to the surrounding brain cells. Ischemic stroke is the most common form of stroke (85%) while hemorrhagic stroke accounts for about 15% of cases.
The effects of a stroke depend on the part of the brain that was damaged and the amount of damage caused by a sudden blocked artery (about 85% of all stroke) or a bleeding blood vessel (about 15% of cases).
The quicker the signs are recognized, and the patient is diagnosed and treated, the greater likelihood of a good recovery, with less chance of another stroke, and decreased healthcare costs. The first few hours after stroke are crucial, affecting the recovery journey for years to come.
The impact of stroke around the world:
- There are over 80 million people currently living with the effects of stroke globally.
- Stroke is the second leading cause of death and disability globally.
- Five and a half million people die of stroke each year globally.
- One person dies of stroke every six seconds globally.
- There are 13.7 million strokes around the world each year.
- One in four survivors will have another stroke.
