World Stroke Day 2024: What Are The Factors That Increases Risk?

World Stroke Day is observed annually on October 29. This year, it falls on Tuesday. On this day, organizations worldwide take initiative to raise awareness about stroke and conduct screenings to assess stroke risk.

With stroke cases rising globally, World Stroke Organization (WSO) declared stroke a public health emergency in 2010, just four years after initiating this annual event. “According to a study published in Lancet Neurology, over 1.25 million new stroke cases were recorded in 2021, a significant increase from 650,000 in 1990. This 51% rise, alongside a 47% increase in overall prevalence of stroke, underscores urgent need for greater awareness around prevention and timely intervention”, said Dr Vipul Gupta, Group Director, of Neurointervention, at Paras Health Gurugram.

What Is A Stroke?

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, a stroke, or “brain attack,” occurs when blood flow to brain is interrupted, creating a medical emergency.

“ brain requires a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients to function well,” Johns Hopkins Medicine explains. When blood and oxygen flow to brain are disrupted, brain cells die, potentially affecting movement, memory, thinking, speech, and or functions.

What Are Factors That Increase Risk Of Stroke?

Research indicates se major factors that may increase stroke risk:

• High blood pressure can dam blood vessels supplying brain, significantly raising stroke risk.
• Heart disease is ar leading stroke risk factor.
• People with diabetes face an elevated stroke risk.
• Excessive smoking increases likelihood of ischemic stroke.
• Birth control pills may also contribute to stroke risk.
• A high red blood cell count can thicken blood, leading to clots that impede blood flow, furr raising stroke risk.

Dr Gupta adds, "In addition to , which significantly elevates stroke risk, especially in those over 65 years, lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol use, and sedentary habits furr contribute to rising cases. Early recognition of symptoms and rapid medical response can be life-saving.”