African continent is currently experiencing a changing pattern of diseases and deaths. One side it is facing a double burden of infectious diseases and other side-rapid escalation of non-communicable diseases. These include stroke and heart disease. These conditions are exaggerated by factors like ageing populations, changes in food habits, and rising rates of hypertension, physical inactivity, smoking, diabetes, raised cholesterol, alcohol abuse and obesity.
Stroke is a leading cause of disability, dementia worldwide and can be lethal. Africa has the highest rates of stroke. Fortunately, the vast majority of stroke risk factors can be modified. So strokes may be avoided. This means that with proper healthcare policy and interventions the large majority of strokes are preventable.
Data source: All Africa news
