World Stroke Day today.

Byline: Iqtidar Gilani

LAHORE -- Like other parts of the globe, World Stroke Day will be observed across the country on Tuesday (today) to underscore the serious nature and high rates of stroke, raise awareness of the prevention and treatment of the condition, and ensure better care and support for survivors.

A stroke can happen to anyone, at anytime and anywhere.

Symposiums, walks and screening camps will be arranged by public sector and private institutions to highlight the importance of regular screening and raise awareness about preventive measures to avoid leading cause of disability worldwide and the second leading cause of death. 'Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, affecting 15 million people each year and one in every four individuals is believed to experience a stroke in their lifetime. Almost all strokes could be prevented,' said leading cardiologists.

1 in every 4 adults has a stroke in life

People with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), a condition of irregular and often rapid heart rate, are five times more likely to have a stroke. Dr Riffat Sultana, Consultant and Associate Professor of Cardiology, Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases said, 'People with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) are at an increased risk for stroke and are estimated to account for 15% of the 15 million strokes that occur worldwide every year. It is a common type of irregular heartbeat, also known as arrhythmia. With AFib, a clot can form in the chamber of the heart and can travel to the brain. This can lead to a potentially devastating thromboembolic stroke.'

She further advised that people having risk factors for AFib should be more alarmed. These factors may include age 60 or more, especially 75+, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, previous stroke, transient ischemic heart attack (TIA), or thromboembolism, vascular disease, ischemic heart disease, hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease...