Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and the number one cause of chronic disability in the world. According to the World Health Organization, 6.2 million people die due to stroke each year, equating to one death every 10 seconds. Due to the high prevalence in Qatar’s population of many risk factors for stroke – including diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, hypertension and inactivity – the incidence of stroke is high.
Time is brain
Fast and specialized medical intervention is the key to successful treatment for stroke patients. The sooner treatment is given to the patient, the better the chance that brain cells can be protected. Thrombolysis is a very effective treatment that can greatly increase a stroke patient’s chances of making a full recovery, but this must be given within 4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms. For this reason, it is extremely important for people to be aware of the symptoms of stroke so they are able to quickly identify the problem.
If you suspect that you, or someone around you, has suffered a stroke, you must call 999 immediately so care teams can respond and treatment can be given as soon as possible. Do not ignore symptoms, even if they go away quickly. It may be a warning sign.
