STOKING AWARENESS FOR STROKE DAY

IN PREPARING to mark World Stroke Day and National Stroke Week, various organisations are raising awareness of the dangers of strokes and heart attacks and ways to avoid becoming a victim.

According to one such organisation, Angels Initiative, strokes are the fourth-biggest natural cause of death in South Africa, where 360 people suffer a stroke every day. Out of those, 110 people die and 90 are left with life-changing disabilities.

“The amazing reality is that the vast majority of strokes are preventable. Educating people about stroke has all sorts of positive ramifications. While prevention tops the list, another key is teaching the warning signs and to react immediately.

“It is important to emphasise a significant element in the fight against stroke that is easy, quick, free and potentially life-changing, and rather than focusing on alarming statistics, I prefer encouraging people to focus on the benefits of good health,” said Carica Combrink of Angels Initiative.

World Stroke Day is on October 29 and National Stroke Week runs from October 28 until November 3.

This month and beyond, the Angels Initiative and their partners will facilitate events with communities and health-care providers who play significant roles in managing stroke, Combrink said.