ISLAMABAD: Participants at a seminar organised to mark World Stroke Day were informed about the greater risk of stroke faced by women in comparison with men. One in five women is at risk of stroke compared to one in six men.

The slogan for this year is ‘I am Woman: Stroke Affects Me’. The day is being celebrated all over the world to disseminate life-saving information and share knowledge about lifestyle choices that can prevent stroke.

Doctors speaking at the event said that of every 10 deaths from stroke, six occur in women and this is largely attributed to the longer life expectancy of women as most of these occur later in life.

Consultant neurologist Dr Maimoona Siddiqui said there were 17 million people worldwide who suffer a stroke each year and the highest rates were in older women. Women also tend to have worse outcomes than men as indicated by more severe disability.

Neurologist Dr Waseem Tariq said that stroke is a condition in which the brain or spinal cord is damaged by an abnormality in blood supply. Sixty per cent of stroke patients in Pakistan are above 60 years of age. Stroke claims lives of nearly six million people each year, he said.

Also speaking at the event, Neurologist Dr Farhat Shoaib said that stroke is sudden brain damage and lack of blood flow to the brain caused by a clot or rupture of a blood vessel.

“Every six seconds, quality of life for someone is affected by stroke as he or she become physically disabled. Stroke is the second largest cause of death for people above 60 years of age,” he said.

While informing the audience about causes, symptoms and management of stroke, Neurologist Dr Mohammad Amjad said hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking or chewing tobacco and heart disease are the leading causes of stroke. Patients with hypertension have an eight times greater chance of having a stroke.

He said speech difficulties, ataxia (difficulty in walking), facial weakness, vertigo (room spinning around you), double vision and numbness on the face/arm/leg and weakness are a few symptoms of this deadly neurological disorder.

“There is no pain associated with stroke. If you have stress, high salt intake and family history then you are at risk,” Dr Amjad said.

Published in Dawn, October 30th , 2014