44, 33, 27: These are shockingly young ages of UAE stroke patients

Dubai: 44, 33, 27 — These are shockingly young ages of some patients who survived strokes in the UAE in the past one year. And enough reason for many to sit up and act, say doctors and survivors on the occasion of the World Stroke Day on October 29.

In the UAE, 10,000 to 12,000 cases of stroke are reported annually and it is estimated that one person is suffering from stroke every hour in the country, according to available statistics.

About 50 per cent of all stroke patients in the UAE are under the age of 45, compared with the global average of 80 per cent being 65 or older. So, the chances are that even though you are young, you could be at risk.

Work stress, sedentary lifestyle

Another young patient is Abu Dhabi resident Anoop Sudarshan Panicker, 33. When he was admitted to LLH Hospital, Musaffah, due to acute weakness in his right side and slurring, “nobody believed a 33-year-old man could have a stroke” said Dr Jessline Joseph, consultant neurosurgeon, who treated Panicker.

An emergency scan revealed a large stroke in the cerebellum, as well as involvement of the brainstem. “He had developed a large vessel stroke … nearly half of the brain was involved.” Panicker’s blood pressure and cholesterol levels were also extremely high.

A laundry supervisor, Panicker said he had tremendous work pressure during the COVID-19 pandemic when his colleagues were stuck back home. “I was not into exercising and I used to get food from a mess or from restaurants. I did not have the habit of going for check-ups also,” he said.

Dr Joseph said overwork, stress, sedentary lifestyle and eating unhealthy food had led to him getting a stroke at such a young age. High levels of cholesterol and blood pressure that went untreated were high risk factors. Panicker was treated successfully with medication and lifestyle modification and his health has improved since then.

The doctor said Panicker has no residual deficits. Weakness, paralysis, and problems with balance or coordination, pain, numbness, or burning and tingling sensations are among the long-term effects of stroke.

Panicker said he continues the same job, but with less stress. “All my colleagues came back on duty and I only have the issue of working in shifts. I started cooking and I am following a healthy diet. But, I should focus more on exercise during my shift work,” he said, urging others to follow a healthy lifestyle and do regular health checks.

Panicker said he continues the same job, but with less stress. “All my colleagues came back on duty and I only have the issue of working in shifts. I started cooking and I am following a healthy diet. But, I should focus more on exercise during my shift work,” he said, urging others to follow a healthy lifestyle and do regular health checks.

Read More: Gulf News

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