Men's Health - Men's Health Line

Stroke is a term used to describe damage to part of the brain. It occurs when the arteries of the brain become "blocked" or "burst", depriving the brain cells of nutrients and oxygen.

The most common risk factors for stroke are:

Smoking

High blood pressure

Excessive alcohol intake

Obesity

Stress

Drug abuse e.g. cocaine

Other medical associated conditions include:

Congenital brain arterial aneurysms and abnormalities

Heart and blood vessel diseases

Diabetes mellitus

Symptoms of a stroke usually develop suddenly and quickly without any warning signs. These include:

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

These symptoms should be regarded as an emergency. Delay in seeking medical attention can significantly affect the outcomes and reduce the chances of recovery.

The effects of a stroke depend on which part of the brain and to what extent the brain has been damaged. Stroke can be fatal, or causes permanent disability such as paralysis.

You can lower your risk of having a stroke by keeping your heart and blood vessels healthy by:

No smoking.

Control your blood pressure with regular checking every couple of years at least.

Eat a healthy and low fat diet, and reduce your salt intake.

Moderate your alcohol intake.

Do suitable exercise regularly.

Control your weight.

Get adequate rest and avoid stress.

Stroke can be treated by medication/surgery along with lifestyle changes and a range of therapies from experts such as nurses, physiotherapist, speech therapist and occupational therapist. The choice of an appropriate treatment is based on the severity of the symptoms, the extent to which they affect the patient's life, and the presence of any other medical conditions.

To yield satisfactory results from the rehabilitation program after a stroke, it is important to comply with the instructions and visit your doctor and the therapists regularly and have your condition monitored. You have to take the medication as prescribed. Never stop taking them on your own.

If you have any suspicions, you should seek medical advice.

In 2006, 1,603 deaths were due to stroke in Hong Kong, and 48.5% of them were in men.

People with hypertension, smokers and alcoholics are those at high risk of stroke.

Stroke can be fatal, or causes permanent disability such as paralysis.

Maintain a healthy diet, regular exercise, avoid smoking and reduce alcohol intake can lower the risk of stroke.

Smoke Free & Fresh

Weight Control

Drink Smart

Lively Mood

Less Trans Fat for Better Health

Stroke - Prevention and Diagnosis

Good tricks for weight control

Nicotine Dependency

Weight Control - BMI

Weight Control - WHR

Food Analyser

Sensible Drinking

Calorie Expenditure Calculator

Knowledge Test on Dietary Fat

Central Health Education Unit
Hotline: 2833 0111

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