The Head of Stroke Unit of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State, Prof. Kolawole Wahab, has warned that the high burden of stroke in Nigeria was taking an epidemic proportion.

Mr Wahab stated this while speaking on the sidelines of the free screening, consultation and treatment of hypertensive patients to mark the World Stroke Day in Ilorin on Friday.

The theme for this year’s World Stroke Day is: “#Greater than stroke: Active challenge.”

According to him, stroke is the leading cause of death and morbidity in Nigeria and statistics show every 114 per 100,000 persons will have a stroke.

He said, “Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and it is likely to worsen in developing countries. Compared to the rest of the world, Africa is having a disproportionate burden of stroke. This is because in the developed world, the burden of stroke is reducing whereas in Africa, it is increasing.’’

The expert, who teaches in the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences of University of Ilorin, explained that hypertension and diabetes were driving factors of stroke.

Mr Wahab said, “What we see in our stroke unit is scary because out of 10 patients on admission at any particular moment, nine out of them are hypertensive.’’

He said that most of the patients don’t take their drugs regularly, adding that the control of hypertension is abysmal.

The physician appealed to people to always get their blood pressure and blood sugar checked to prevent stroke.

He also advised people to shun smoking and alcohol consumption, saying they were risk factors for stroke.

Mr Wahab further advised overweight people to shed their weight, and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Speaking also, a Consultant Neurologist at UITH, Dr. Abiodun Bello, described the symptoms of stroke to include change in balance, unable to walk well or staggering.

He also said other symptoms are weakness on one side of the body, difficulty seeing, arm weakness and speech abnormalities among others.

Mr Bello advised people with such symptoms to immediately seek medical attention for the necessary treatment and management.

The programme includes an awareness campaign, free blood pressure and blood sugar test and medicine prescription.

(NAN)