Monthly Archives: October 2018

Abbas Kharal, MD, MPH

The global burden of stroke continues to increase as stroke still remains amongst the highest causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Per the 2013 global burden of disease (GBD) report¹, a greater than 3-fold increase in the burden of stroke was reported over the past two decades. A total of 11.6 million incident ischemic stroke cases were reported worldwide in the past two decades, of which one third occurred in those less than age 65, thus adding significantly more to the disability adjusted life years (DALYs) and economic burden of stroke worldwide. Beyond DALYs lost, stroke also has a large physical, psychological, and financial impact on the millions of patients affected, their families, the health care system, and the society at large, therefore suggesting that the true global burden of ischemic stroke is perhaps much more than what we measure it to be^2,3.

Burton J. Tabaac, MD

Stroke recovery is a global endeavor currently affecting about 80 million people living in the world today. More than 50 million stroke survivors live with some form of permanent disability.

Join the fight against stroke! In 2015, The World Stroke Campaign focused on raising awareness of stroke prevention and risk among women using the tagline, “I am Woman – Stroke Affects Me, Stroke Affects Everyone.” In 2016, World Stroke Day was marked by recognizing that although stroke is a complex medical issue, there are ways to significantly reduce its impact. The World Stroke Organization built a campaign to underscore that “Stroke is Treatable.” Last year, the World Stroke Day 2017 campaign focused on risk awareness and prevention. This year, World Stroke Day 2018, emphasizes that there are resources and a network to assist those who have suffered from stroke. You are not in it alone! There is a well-developed network for caregivers, families, and friends affected by stroke who can help their loved ones #UpAgainAfterStroke.

Alan Charles Cameron, MB ChB, BSc (Hons), MRCP

On World Stroke Day 2018, we are fortunate to have many therapies that reduce the burden of stroke, including intravenous thrombolysis, endovascular therapy, acute stroke unit care, primary and secondary prevention, and multi-modality rehabilitation. We have recently discovered that the substantial benefits achieved with intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular therapy can extend to imaging-selected patients with wake-up stroke, whilst dual anti-platelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel is associated with maximum benefit and lowest risk in the first 21 days after high-risk TIA or minor stroke. However, access to effective treatments for stroke remains limited in many developed countries, and basic aspects of stroke care are not available in many developing countries. There is clear global and regional variation in access to stroke care when we speak with colleagues and friends from around the world.

Kara Jo Swafford, MD

Stroke can be a devastating disease that afflicts millions of individuals and their families worldwide. Many survivors are left with long-term disability, compromising their quality of life. Stroke, however, is largely preventable and treatable, with new approaches for improving poststroke recovery being developed. Advances such as the use of thrombolytic therapy (clot busting drugs) and the advent of the use of clot removing devices can now minimize the effects of stroke and increase selected patients’ chances for survival and recovery.