On 23rd April, The Star reported that Health Minister, Dr Chua Soi Lek said that every hour, 6 Malaysians suffer from stroke.
It is the 4th largest cause of death in the country. Only heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
The causes are lifestyle: hypertension, high cholesterol level, diabetes, smoking and obesity.
52,000 Malaysians admitted to government hospitals for stroke in 2006, meaning 6 new cases every hour, compared to 17,909 in 2005. That’s a 300% increase.
Many victims die within a month with only 10% fully recovering.
It is the most preventable of all life-threatening health problems.
In 2005, 17,909 stroke victims admitted into government hospitals alone. 3,245 died. By 2020, expected to exceed 25,000 a year.
Hypertension is a major risk factor: becoming more prevalent: in 1996, 30% adults >30 yrs old have it. Compare that to 14.4% in 1986.
Others:
> 10,000 die each year from diseases linked to hypertension: stroke, heart attack (6,000) and renal failure.
3 million have high cholesterol, 2.1 million have diabetes.
Malaysia has the highest number of overweight and obese people in Asia: 25% of the population.
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