World Stroke Day 2023, Theme, Campaign, History, Causes and Prevention

World Stroke Day 2023

World Stroke Day is celebrated on October 29 every year to raise awareness about stroke, its prevention, and treatment. One in four people will experience a stroke in their lifetime, but 90% of these strokes are preventable by addressing a few risk factors, such as high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, smoking, diet, and exercise. This year World Stroke Day 2023, we are mobilizing the global stroke community to raise awareness and drive action on stroke prevention. Get involved and show that together we can be #GreaterThan stroke.

What is Stroke?

A stroke is a sudden interruption in the blood supply to the brain, which can damage or kill brain cells. It is the second leading cause of death worldwide and the leading cause of disability in adults. Stroke can occur at any age, but it is more common in older adults and people with certain risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke.

• Ischemic stroke: It is the most common type of stroke, accounting for about 87% of all strokes. It occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel leading to the brain.
• Hemorrhagic stroke: It occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds into the brain.

World Stroke Day 2023 Theme

World Stroke Day 2023 is on October 29. The theme is “Together we are Greater Than Stroke” which was officially announced by the World Stroke Organization (WSO) This emphasizes the importance of prevention. Up to 90% of strokes can be prevented by addressing the risk factors, such as high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, smoking, diet, and exercise.

World Stroke Campaign

The World Stroke Campaign (WSC) is a global initiative to raise awareness of stroke and its prevention. It is led by the World Stroke Organization (WSO) and includes over 100 member organizations in over 70 countries. The goal of the World Stroke Organization is to educate the public about stroke, especially stroke prevention, symptom recognition, and the needs of stroke survivors.

The WSC also advocates for policies and programs that support stroke prevention and treatment. It works with governments, international organizations, and the private sector to create a world where everyone can live free from the burden of stroke. The WSC aims to:

• Reduce the global burden of stroke
• Improve the quality of life of stroke survivors and their families
• Promote equity in stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation

Focus of World Stroke Organization

The WSC focuses on three key areas:

• Stroke prevention: The WSC works to raise awareness of the risk factors for stroke and to promote healthy lifestyles to reduce the risk of stroke.
• Symptom awareness: The WSC works to educate the public about the signs and symptoms of stroke so that people can seek medical attention quickly if they or someone they know is experiencing a stroke.
• Support for stroke survivors: The WSC works to promote access to quality stroke care and rehabilitation services for stroke survivors and their families.

Symptoms of Stroke

The symptoms of stroke can vary depending on the part of the brain that is affected. However, some common symptoms include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, maintaining balance, or coordination
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause
• Sudden dizziness, nausea, or vomiting

How to Prevent Stroke?

There are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk of stroke, such as:

• Controlling your blood pressure
• Managing your cholesterol
• Keeping your blood sugar under control
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Exercising regularly
• Eating a healthy diet
• Quitting smoking
• Limiting alcohol consumption

F.A.S.T. Approach to Stroke

The FAST approach to stroke is a simple way to identify the signs of a stroke. FAST stands for:

• Facial drooping: Does one side of the face droop or look numb when the person smiles?
• Arm weakness: Is one arm weak or numb?
• Speech difficulty: Is the person slurring their words or unable to speak?
• Time to call 911: If the person has any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

World Stroke Day History

World Stroke Day was established in 2004 by the World Stroke Organization (WSO) and the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) to raise awareness of stroke and its prevention. The WSO is a global organization dedicated to reducing the global burden of stroke and improving the quality of life for stroke survivors and their families. The first World Stroke Day was celebrated on October 29, 2004.

World Stroke Day has made a significant impact on raising awareness of stroke and its prevention. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of people who are aware of the signs and symptoms of stroke and who know to call 911 immediately if they or someone they know is experiencing a stroke.

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