Stroke cases among young people alarming – KATH

Health authorities at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi are alarmed at the upsurge in stroke cases among young people. Neurologist, Dr. Fred Stephen Sarfo says those as young as 13 are now developing the condition. One suffers a stroke when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood it requires, leading to the death of the brain cells. The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi records between 800 and one thousand cases, each year with more than 300 dying and the rest becoming permanently disabled. Medical experts say people aged 55 and above are known to have higher risk, but doctors at the Komfo Anokye Hospital say the statistics has changed. Approximately 30 percent of all the stroke cases occur among people below 50 years. High risk factors include hypertension, diabetes, high alcohol intake and lack of exercise. Research shows 90 percent of all stroke patients have hypertension, 80 percent high cholesterol and 40percent diabetic. Dr Sarfo is encouraging improved lifestyle and other health measures to manage cases. Source: editors.3news.com | Ghana