Title: Neurologist Highlights Key to Stroke Prevention and Urges Public Awareness
In a recent public health address, a leading neurologist has underscored that stroke is a largely preventable condition, emphasizing the critical importance of managing key risk factors and recognizing the “golden hour” for emergency response.
The Golden Hour: A Race Against Time
Dr. Ehsan Sharifipour, Secretary of the Iranian Stroke Association and a specialist in neurology, stressed the vital importance of the immediate period following a stroke. “The first thing those nearby must do is call the 115 emergency services and not transport the stroke victim to the hospital themselves,” he advised. Adherence to this protocol is crucial to prevent permanent disability, as specialized care can be initiated en route by emergency medical teams.
Controllable vs. Uncontrollable Risks
Speaking at an event for World Stroke Day (October 29th) held at Tehran’s Ershad Cultural Center, Dr. Sharifipour outlined the primary factors behind stroke incidents. He categorized them into non-modifiable and modifiable risks.
Non-modifiable factors include family history, age, and ethnicity. “It is a fact that men generally experience more strokes than women, and for every 10 years after the age of 50-55, the risk of stroke multiplies,” the doctor stated, noting that these are realities beyond individual control.
The Silent Culprit: Hypertension
The core of Dr. Sharifipour’s message focused on the modifiable risks, with high blood pressure being singled out as the most significant. “High blood pressure is the most important modifiable risk for stroke, but unfortunately, this condition is asymptomatic and silent,” he explained. He urged the public to conduct periodic blood pressure checks, as it often presents no warning signs until it is severely elevated.
A Call for Lifestyle Changes
The neurologist listed several other critical, controllable factors that contribute to stroke risk:
- Diabetes and High Cholesterol: These conditions must be actively managed.
- Tobacco Use: The consumption of all forms of tobacco, including cigarettes, hookah, and opium, is a well-established risk factor.
- Physical Inactivity: Dr. Sharifipour highlighted a cultural shortfall, noting that many view exercise as a recreational activity rather than a necessity. “If all individuals do not have 150 minutes of appropriate physical activity per week, they are at risk for a stroke. Everyone without exception must exercise.”
- Cardiovascular Diseases: Underlying heart conditions, such as irregular heartbeat and valvular disorders, act like a “ticking time bomb” for stroke if left untreated.
- Sleep Apnea: This condition, characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep, was also identified as a significant and often overlooked risk factor that requires treatment.
A National Health Priority
Concluding his address, Dr. Sharifipour reinforced the gravity of the issue, noting that stroke is the second leading cause of mortality in the country. He used the example of Tehran, where an estimated 150 to 200 people suffer a stroke each night, often resulting in death or permanent disability. The World Stroke Day event aimed to bolster public awareness about the treatability of stroke and the effectiveness of new medical interventions.