Men's Health - Men's Newsroom

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