Stroke is a common disease that threatens human health
According to research by the World Health Organization, the three leading causes of death worldwide are tumors, cerebrovascular disease, and cardiovascular disease. Stroke is a common threat to human health because it has the characteristics of high incidence, high mortality, high disability rate, high recurrence rate, and multiple complications, known as the “four highs and one more”.
Characteristics of stroke:High incidence rate.
With the progress of society and the improvement of people’s living standards, the number of people suffering from hypertension and arteriosclerosis is gradually increasing. hypertension is the main risk factor for stroke. On the other hand, stroke mainly occurs in middle-aged and elderly people, and its incidence rate increases with age, starting from 50 years old. With the increasing degree of population aging in our country, the proportion of the elderly is gradually rising, thus the incidence rate of stroke is also continuously increasing.
The high incidence of stroke can be attributed to several factors:
- Lifestyle Factors: Unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, and excessive alcohol consumption or smoking are significant contributors. These habits can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, all of which increase the risk of stroke.
- Aging Population: As the global population ages, the prevalence of stroke increases. Older individuals are more susceptible to conditions that lead to stroke, such as hypertension and atherosclerosis.
- Medical Conditions: Chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure significantly elevate the risk of stroke. Poorly managed or untreated conditions can exacerbate this risk.
- Genetic Predisposition: Family history plays a role in an individual’s susceptibility to stroke. Those with a family history of stroke are at a higher risk.
- Socioeconomic Factors: Lower socioeconomic status can limit access to healthy food, medical care, and preventive health services, contributing to higher stroke rates.
- Environmental Factors: Exposure to certain environmental factors, such as air pollution, can increase the risk of stroke.
Addressing these factors through public health initiatives, lifestyle changes, and improved access to healthcare can help reduce the incidence of stroke.
Characteristics of stroke:High mortality rate.
Stroke is one of the top three causes of human death. In China, the mortality rate of stroke ranks first or second. Statistical data shows that approximately 1.0 million people die from stroke each year in China, with a stroke mortality rate of 45%. Moreover, the mortality rate increases with age. For every 5 years older, the stroke mortality rate doubles. According to our clinical observation, the 10-year survival rate of stroke survivors is only 50%, and once recurred, the mortality rate increases significantly.
Characteristics of stroke:High disability rate.
A significant amount of clinical data shows that over half of stroke survivors who undergo rescue have varying degrees of disability, such as hemiplegia, language disorders, sluggish reflexes, joint stiffness, or senile dementia. Among them, 75% lose their ability to work, 66% cannot take care of themselves, 15% require long-term bed rest or hospitalization, and only about 10% can achieve basic recovery.
Characteristics of stroke:High recurrence rate:
According to statistics, nearly 50% of survivors of stroke who have undergone rescue treatment experience recurrence within 5 years, with the highest rate within the first year. If patients neglect treatment for hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and heart disease, and do not eliminate the inducing factors of stroke, the recurrence rate will be higher, and the mortality rate will also significantly increase.
Characteristics of stroke:Many complications.
Stroke patients have many complications, mainly including pressure ulcers, urinary tract infections, constipation, etc., which can threaten life at any time.
We have discussed the dangers of stroke, but the goal is to prevent stroke through early detection and treatment, and fear should not be allowed to develop.
