Kolawole Wahab (Prof) from the Department of Medicine of the University of Ilorin has said that the burden of stroke is rapidly escalating and needs urgent attention as it affects the most productive age group in Africa.
Wahab, disclosed this while presenting the 230th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ilorin titled: “In the Quest for a Masterstroke for Stroke”.
According to him, 110 million people have experienced stroke and live with impacts that can include severe physical disabilities.
He quoted the World Health Organisation (WHO) projects that 80 per cent of all strokes will occur in developing countries of the world by year 2030.
The Neurologist disclosed that this year alone, an estimated 12.2 million people will experience stroke and 6.5 million will not survive.
“Every seconds stroke kills someone. It is the second leading cause of death in the world, as one in every four people world wide will have a stroke in their lifetime.
“Behind these numbers are real lives. These numbers represent individuals who are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, breadwinners, loving and loved ones, ” he stated.
Wahab, observed that this data is worrisome and unacceptable for a disease with a well documented modifiable risk factors and evidence-based treatment for ischemic stroke.
He described stroke as a sudden onset of focal or global neurological deficit lasting more than 24 hours or leading to death with no apparent cause other than vascular origin.
“Stroke is fast becoming an epidemic in Nigeria. The high and escalating burden of the disease is driven by high prevalence of undiagnosed, poorly controlled hypertension and other modifiable risk factors,” he said.
Wahab however, advised people to regularly consume at least 12 serving of vegetables per week to prevent hypertension.
He also tasked people on regular checking of blood pressure, adding that hypertension is the dominant risk factor for stroke.
“If you are hypertensive, take your drugs regularly and engage in healthy lifestyle such as aerobics exercise, quit smoking and alcohol consumption,” he warned.
