KUALA LUMPUR: Stroke is the third most common cause of death in Malaysia in 2023 and is predicted to climb to the second by 2040, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

One in four Malaysians could suffer a stroke in the same year if no preventive action is taken.

The Health Ministry (MOH) supported the prediction by DOSM, highlighting stroke as a major cause of mortality in its Clinical Practice Guidelines 2020, with ischaemic stroke being the most prevalent form.

This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV) consultant neurologist and internal medicine physician Dr Kok Chin Yong said ischaemic stroke occurs when the blood supply to parts of the brain is obstructed, preventing brain tissue from receiving oxygen and nutrients, leading to cell death within minutes.

‘Ischaemic strokes can result from various conditions, such as the build-up of fatty deposits in arteries and many other factors that
promote blood clot formation,’ he said in a statement to Bernama.

Ischaemic stroke could result in various neurological implications including muscle paralysis such as facial weakness and numbness, as well as speech difficulties, visual disturbances, gait imbalances, dizziness and long-term muscle stiffness that may impair daily activities.

If a stroke occurs, time is of the essence and every second counts, the acronym ‘BE FAST’ is a widely known acronym used to help identify stroke symptoms quickly, but equally important is the concept of ‘The Golden Hour’.

‘The Golden Hour’ refers to the critical time window from the onset of stroke symptoms to receiving treatment, allowing medical professionals to restore the blood supply to the brain after blood vessels become blocked.

During this period, timely medical intervention can significantly improve the chances of recovery and reduce the risk of long-term disability or death, given that around two million brain cells die every minute without blood supply.

‘M
edical interventions during ‘The Golden Hour’ include two key treatments, thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy. Thrombolysis involves administering medication to dissolve smaller blood clots in the brain and must be conducted within 4.5 hours of the stroke onset.

‘This treatment significantly increases the chances of restoring blood flow to the brain and reducing the risk of permanent damage,’ explained Dr Kok.

Source:BERNAMA News Agency