City observes World Stroke Awareness Week

In honour of World Stroke Awareness Week, the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) has joined many South Africans in recognising the week from October 28 to November 3.

CoE urges residents to be open-minded about the symptoms of stroke and importance of taking treatment for recovery.

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa, strokes are said to claim nearly 70 lives daily in South Africa.

CoE spokesperson Nhlanhla Cebekhulu said a stroke can increasingly become a public health challenge that causes death and disability globally.

“Taking control of health conditions that raise one’s risk for stroke and taking healthy lifestyle changes can go a long way in preventing strokes. Stroke is not curable, but manageable. The rehabilitation services that are offered to stroke patients include physiotherapy, occupation therapy, speech and audio therapy,” he said.

Patrick Magodzho, the acting manager of acute and chronic care in the CoE’s Health and Social Department, explained how a stroke happens.

“Strokes occur when the blood supply to parts of the brain is cut off and without blood which carries oxygen, brain cells can be damaged or die. Depending on which part of the brain is affected and how quickly the person is treated, the effects of stroke can disturb a person’s body, mobility, speech and how they think and feel,” said Magodzho.

Magodzho also said when patients are cared for, supported to follow their treatment and attend rehabilitation programmes, the negative impact of strokes can be minimised.

These changes include:

• Keeping blood pressure controlled through lifestyle changes or medication.
• Do not smoke.
• Take steps to manage your cholesterol by eating less fatty food.
• Limit your alcohol consumption.
• Exercise regularly.
• Maintain a healthy weight.