Stroke - Prevention and Diagnosis

Recently, there were newspaper reports bringing to attention an email which is being circulated through internet, listing some simple methods that are supposed to enable readers to self-diagnose stroke.

Knowledge on stroke is no doubt useful as it is an important health problem which we should pay attention to. According to the World Health Organization, every year about 5.5 million deaths worldwide are due to stroke. In Hong Kong, it was the fourth leading cause of death and accounted for 3 462 deaths in 2003.

The simple tests listed in the email include asking a person to smile, to raise both hands, and to say a simple sentence. But as pointed out by some local experts, such simplified tests are not reliable as there are other reasons which may impair one's ability to do so.

Knowledge on the risk factors which contribute to stroke helps us take preventive measures while knowledge on its symptoms and signs would enable us to seek prompt medical help when necessary. However, self diagnosis based only on such quick test is dangerous as it may cause unnecessary anxiety if stroke is falsely diagnosed or unwarranted delay of seeking treatment if stroke is falsely ruled out.

We will thus like to share with you some information about stroke.

Common risk factors: smoking; high blood pressure; excessive alcohol intake; obesity; stress; drug abuse e.g. cocaine                                           

Common symptoms

• Sudden weakness, numbness and/or tingling of the face, arm or leg
• Sudden slurring or loss of speech
• Sudden blurring of vision
• Sudden onset of severe headache
• Sudden unsteadiness or falls

Things we can do to prevent stroke

• Do not smoke or quit smoking
• Control your blood pressure
• Eat a healthy and low fat diet, and reduce your salt intake
• Moderate your alcohol intake if you drink
• Exercise regularly
• Control your weight
• Get adequate rest and avoid stress
  

Guys, the take home message is: healthy lifestyle and prompt medical help when necessary!

For more information on stroke, please see Stroke of the Men's Health Line section of this website.

For more information on healthy lifestyle which helps prevent stroke, please see the Men's Lifestyle section of this website.  

(Last Updated on 17-11-2005)