By Chioma Iruke
The World Health Organization (WHO), has warned that the coronavirus infection increases an individual’s chances of getting stroke.
This was disclosed by WHO Regional Director, Dr Matshidiso Moeti on Friday, October 29 in commemoration of the World stroke Day with the World Stroke Organization (WSO).
According to Moeti, “stroke is preventable in 80% cases and screening for high blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol annually is important, Coronavirus infection increases an individual’s risk of stroke.”
The WHO as well as other organisations around the world, honour stroke survivors and support countries to identify and apply “best buy” interventions that reduce the risk of strokes
“This is because more than 13 million people will have a stroke each year and around 5.5 million will die as a result. Stroke is a non-communicable condition where the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, resulting in oxygen starvation, brain damage and loss of function.
“Stroke is most frequently caused by a clot in an artery supplying blood to the brain, a situation known as ischemia,” WHO added.
