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19 March 2024

Somebody gets 'stroke' every hour in UAE

50% of stroke patients in UAE are below 45 years, as compared to global average. [Image via Shutterstock]

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By Staff

Every year 7,000 to 8,000 people in the UAE get a stroke. This means every hour, one person gets a stroke.  Fifty per cent of stroke patients in the UAE are below the age of 45.

Stroke awareness was the topic discussed in Twitter clinic of Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Specific challenges of the UAE, as well as stroke among women and  tips for the public were put forward.

Unfortunately, the number of people hit by stroke are shocking all around the world, and the UAE forms no exception with its high numbers. However, the average age at which people suffer from strokes in the UAE is much lower than on the international level.

“Fifty per cent of stroke patients in the UAE are below the age of 45 years, as compared to the global average, where 80 per cent of stroke patients  are above the age of 65 years. For the UAE, this is an alarming statistic and calls for urgent lifestyle changes and increase in awareness,” said Suhail Al Rukn,  Stroke  and Neurology Consultant and Head of the Stroke Unit at Rashid Hospital.

He said the reason for this is sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, obesity, dependence on fatty foods and a diet high in salts. “In the UAE, 18 to 20 per cent of the population is obese, and 20 per cent are diabetics.

“Moreover, high salt consumption is a major issue. The average amount of salt needed on a daily basis in two grams, however, the average amount of salt people in the UAE consume per day is 15 grams, which is way above the required limit.”

In the UAE, stroke is the second leading cause of disability after road accidents. “An adult brain has a total of five to six billion brain cells. When a stroke occurs, brain cells start to die. It has been estimated that 1.9 million brain cells die per minute in a stroke case. Therefore, the level of disability can be quite severe as the effects of a stroke on the body are immediate,” said Al Rukn.

In order to minimise the effects of a stroke, immediate medical attention is important. The faster the response, the smaller the effect of the stroke will be, with the first four hours being crucial for the treatment of the stroke. Therefore, it is important for people to know how to respond to a stroke, pointed Al Rukn out.

“There is something called the FAST test, referring to face, arms, speech and time. Check whether the person’s face has fallen to one side and whether the person can smile or not. Then, can the person raise both arms or not? Can the person speak or is the speech slurred? And lastly, time is important. If any of the three signs are visible, it’s important to call the ambulance right away.”

Apart from the lifestyle recommendations made to prevent a stroke, there are some specific risk factors among women. According to the Stroke Association, women who take even a low-estrogen birth control pill may be twice as likely to have a stroke than those who are not on the pill and the risk may increase if other risk factors are present. Also, women who take hormone replacement therapy may have a slightly increased stroke risk.

“It is recommended that women be screened for high blood pressure before starting on the pill. Users of oral contraceptives who have one or more additional risk factors for stroke – such as hypertension, or obesity should pursue  treatment of those risk factors while on the pill,” explained Zaibunnisa Khan, Specialist Registrar in the Neurology Department at Rashid Hospital.

“As long as other risk factors are under control or not present, women can continue taking oral contraceptive pills in consultation with their gynaecologist, while staying well-hydrated and carrying out regular exercise and maintaining a healthy diet to avoid the risk of stroke.”