TEHRAN – Brain attack is the second leading cause of death in Iran as annually some 15 percent of around 550,000 people suffering from stroke die either on the spot or later, an official with Noncommunicable Disease Office at the Ministry of Health, has said.

Alireza Mahdavi made the remakes on the occasion of World Stroke Day which is annually observed on October 29 to emphasize the serious nature and high rates of stroke. The day is also observed to raise awareness of the prevention and treatment of strokes.

The goal is to reduce premature deaths and disabilities under the age of 70. Unfortunately, at least one-third of deaths under the age of 70 are caused by non-communicable diseases, half of which are related to strokes, ISNA reported.

Stroke, also known as brain attack, usually happens when the blood supply to a part of the brain is disrupted. In this case, either vessels are blocked or they bleed, in both cases, there is an interruption of blood to any part of the brain.

Pointing out that brain attacks are the second leading cause of death in Iran, Mahdavi said strokes are the most common cause of disability in brain and nervous diseases.

Stroke is a vascular complication that can cause long-term brain damage and disability. The severity of disability caused by stroke depends on the extent of ischemia and the intervention time.

He enumerated the symptoms of stroke as convulsions, confusion, neck stiffness, trouble speaking, not understanding what others are saying, numbness in the hands, face, and feet, double vision, blurred vision, blindness in one or two eyes, severe headache accompanied by nausea and confusion, trouble walking, etc.

These signs warn of the occurrence of a stroke, and each of them may appear alone in a person.

With the emergence of some symptoms such as the inability to raise the arms, lack of clarity of expression, and so on ask the person to smile to determine whether the two sides of his face are symmetrical or not. In this case, time is very important to call emergency immediately. Immediate treatment can minimize the long-term impact of stroke.

Regarding the prevention of strokes, he said: regular physical activity, a healthy diet, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol are among the most important ways to prevent strokes.

In case one is taking blood pressure and diabetes medications, they should take them regularly to prevent stroke.

According to the latest studies carried out two years ago ( ended March 2021) in the STEPS project, it was found that 1.4 percent of the population over 18 claimed that they were diagnosed with a history of stroke, which was reported in men more than women.

This percentage was almost equal in cities and villages. Last year (ended March 2022) the figure was reported to be 0.22 percent of the population of those over 18.

Family history stroke was also reported in 12.5% of men and women aged under 55 and 65 respectively.

World Stroke Day

World Stroke Day was established on 29th October 2004 at the World Stroke Congress in Vancouver, Canada. Later in 2006, the day was proclaimed for public awareness. In 2006, the World Stroke Organization was created with the merger of the World Stroke Federation and the International Stroke Society.

Worldwide, brain stroke is the second leading cause of death, and third leading cause of disability, and the second leading cause of death. Every year, approximately 1.8 million people suffer from stroke. It is noted that low and middle-income countries have witnessed more than a 100 percent increase in stroke whereas the developed countries have witnessed a drop of 42 percent.

This year, the World Stroke Day Theme is “Together we are Greater Than Stroke.” It highlights the prevention of risk factors such as hypertension, irregular heartbeat, smoking, diet, and exercise, as nearly 90% of strokes can be prevented by addressing the risk factors.

MT/MG