Lifestyles add to stroke risk

A man smokes regardless of warning that smoking harms health. Unhealthy lifestyle are blamed for the increasing number of strokes in recent years. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Duc

HCM CITY (VNS)— An unhealthy lifestyle in an industrialised setting was a major cause of the increase in the number of people suffering strokes in recent years, doctors said.

Doctors at the Cho Ray Hospital in HCM City said several studies they have carried out show that hard work and a diet that contains a lot fat, exposure to toxic chemicals, consumption of alcohol and tobacco are all factors carrying risk elements for stroke.

Dr Tran Chi Cuong of the University Medical Centre said strokes are the second cause for deaths in Viet Nam following heart disease and cancer.

Viet Nam now has 200,000 new patients suffering strokes each year, with nearly 11,000 fatalities.

The HCM City Department of Health estimates that more than 19,000 people in the city suffer strokes each year, with 1000 deaths and many cases of permanent paralysis.

Preventive measures, timely diagnosis and intervention can help save many patients, Cuong said, adding that the first three hours after a patient suffers a stroke is considered "the golden period" when the chances of complete recovery are the highest.

It is remarkable that the incidence of stroke is rising among young people between 40-45 and even in the 20-30 age group, health experts said.

On an average, the number of young people suffering strokes increases by two per cent each year, they added.

Nguyen Huy Thang, deputy director of People's Hospital 115 in HCM City's District 10, said that his hospital has more than 160 stroke patients. Among these, the number of young patients under 40 is around 10 per cent, he added.

The Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital, University Medical Centre and Cho Ray in HCM City are also overloaded with patients who have suffered a stroke.

Cuong said his hospital admits more than 50 patients every day with blood vessel clots in the brain, including young people between 20 and 30 years of age.

Among the total number of patients with strokes, the number of males is four times higher than females, he said.

Most male patients who have suffered strokes say they smoke, drink beer and have a history of high blood pressure.

Thang said that the number of women suffering strokes is also showing an upward trend.

Stress caused by housework, office work and children's problems are factors in the increase, he said.

Doctors warn that when having symptoms of limbs or a side of body that suddenly feels paralysed, or if they feel their vision or speech is not clear, they should see the doctors immediately.

Children also get strokes, but it is more difficult to prevent, doctors said.

Dang Do Thanh Can, deputy head of Paediatric Hospital No.2's neuro-surgery ward, said 10 to 15 children, mostly between five and 10 years old, are hospitalised due to strokes each year. — VNS