Friday, October 22, 2010

Stroke claims 1,800 lives every day, says Dr.M.A.Aleem

Stroke claims 1,800 lives every day, says expert
Staff Reporter
Stroke mortality will double by 2020, says Professor

PHOTO: R. M. RAJARATHINAM

ALARMING DATA: State IMA president-elect R. Gunasekaran speaking at the World Stroke Day function in Tiruchi on Tuesday. —
TIRUCHI: Stroke is a major public health burden worldwide as it ranks second to ischemic heart disease as a cause of death and is a leading cause of serious disablility, M.A. Aleem, Professor of Neurology, K.A.P. Viswanatham Government Medical College & Annal Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital, said on Tuesday.
Making a presentation during a continuing medical education programme on Stroke Critical Care organised as part of World Stroke Day at the Government Hospital here, Dr. Aleem said the incidence of stroke showed an alarming rise in the country with its crude prevalence being 100 to 200 patients per lakh population in a year.
“In our country, about 1,800 people die of stroke every day and by 2020 stroke mortality would be doubled.” Stroke cases occupy 2 per cent of the total hospital admission, he informed.
Ischemic stroke due to blood clot in the brain blood vessels was common in Tiruchi district with its percentage being 68.84. Nearly 23 per cent of the people in the district suffered from hemorrhagic stroke which occurs due to rupture of brain blood vessels.
Citing a study on epilepsy in the district, Dr. Aleem said 40 per cent of epileptic patients above the age of 60 were suffering from stroke. Ageing, physical inactivity, smoking and fast foods contribute to stroke besides heart diseases, diabetes and vascular cognitive impairment. There was a need to increase awareness among public, policy makers and health professionals about the causes and symptoms of stroke, he said.
Inaugurating the programme, Prof. Dr. P. Ravisankar, Dean, K.A.P.Viswanatham Government Medical College and Annal Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital said tremendous advancements had taken place various medical fields while stressing the need to keep updated about these developments.
State Indian Medical Association president–elect Dr. R. Gunasekaran said the association had been regularly continuing medical education programmes for the benefit of the doctors.


Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 02, 2008

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