With more than 25,000 new cases emerging each year and responsible for over 3,000 deaths annually, stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in Hong Kong. Recent years have seen an increasing number of younger patients suffering strokes – in fact, about 10 percent of all strokes occur in young people today, with many cases attributed to unhealthy diets and poor lifestyle habits.

• Family history of stroke
• Aged 50 or above: the higher the age, the greater the risk
• Personal history of ministroke (transient ischemic attack)
• Metabolic syndrome, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and hyperlipidemia
• Cardiovascular disease, such as coronary heart disease and arrhythmia
• Being overweight or obese
• Lack of exercise
• Excessive stress
• Smoking
  
• Heavy drinking

When a stroke occurs, 1.9 million brain cells are lost every minute, which can cause serious disability to the patient. Prognosis and recovery are very much dependent on whether the patient receives treatment within the crucial few hours from the onset of symptoms. The earlier the treatment, the better the outcome. To ensure a loved one receives the best possible care in the event of stroke, it is imperative that family members do not hesitate or wait to seek help and call 999 immediately.

If you suspect someone is having a stroke, use the “FAST” test:

• Face: Ask the person to smile and check whether one side of the face droops
• Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms and see if they can keep them there
• Speech: Ask the person to speak and see whether they are slurring their speech
  
• Time: If you observe any of the above three signs, call 999 immediately

No. Stroke, also known by its medical term, cerebrovascular accident, is divided into two main types:

Ischemic vs. Hemorrhagic

Not necessarily. Stroke treatment depends on the patient’s condition, as treatments such as thrombolytic therapy can increase risk of hemorrhage.

Treatment of Ischemic Stroke
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Intravenous Thrombolytic Therapy

• Effectively restores function and reduces risk of death
• Must be administered within 4.5 hours from the onset of symptoms. Today, all Accident & Emergency Departments at Hospital Authority hospitals, as well as some private hospitals, offer 24-hour thrombolytic therapy
  
• Thrombolysis is not suitable for everyone. If a patient’s condition will exacerbate bleeding in the brain or other organs, or if he/she has a history of a bleeding disorder, or if it is beyond the “golden window” for treatment, the patient is not eligible to receive this therapy.
  

Treatment of Hemorrhagic Stroke

• Identify source of bleeding: Doctors will assess the patient’s condition by observing changes in intracranial pressure and locate the source of bleeding with the help of a CT scan. Vital signs will also be stabilized before the next step of treatment is considered.
  
• Identify cause of bleeding: If bleeding is related to high blood pressure, the blood pressure must first be stabilized to prevent further bleeding. If intracranial pressure is high, specific drugs to lower pressure will be given, or surgery may be necessary to remove excess fluid or blood clots and relieve pressure on the brain. Bleeding caused by blood vessel problems or an aneurysm may be managed through open surgery or endovascular embolization. In the event of subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by a ruptured aneurysm, prompt treatment is crucial as the risk of continued hemorrhage is high.