"Paralysis in the Face, Arm, or Leg on One Side, Speech or Vision Impairment"
"If Stroke Symptoms Appear, Seek Immediate Medical Attention"
Stroke, which ranks as the fourth leading cause of death in South Korea, requires treatment within the "golden hour" above all else. However, only six out of ten people in the country are aware of its early symptoms.
On October 29, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) emphasized the seriousness of stroke and the importance of early response in recognition of World Stroke Day. Stroke, a type of cerebrovascular disease, is categorized as either cerebral infarction, where blood vessels supplying the brain become blocked, or cerebral hemorrhage, where blood vessels rupture. Since brain damage can lead to physical disabilities and even death, stroke is classified as a critical illness.
According to last year’s cause-of-death statistics from the National Data Office, stroke was the fourth leading cause of death in Korea after cancer, heart disease, and pneumonia, with 48.2 deaths per 100,000 people attributed to stroke.
In terms of incidence, there were 110,574 cases in 2022, with an incidence rate of 215.7 cases per 100,000 people. Of these cases, 56% were male and 44% were female. The incidence rate increased with age, reaching the highest at 1,515.7 cases per 100,000 people among those aged 80 or older. The fatality rate within 30 days of a stroke was 7.9%, and the one-year fatality rate was 20.1%. Among seniors aged 65 and older, the 30-day fatality rate was 11.5%, and the one-year fatality rate rose to 32.1%.
However, according to last year’s Community Health Survey by the KDCA, only 59.2% of Korean adults were aware of the early symptoms of stroke. Stroke is characterized by the sudden onset of symptoms, and without prompt diagnosis and treatment, survivors can be left with serious disabilities. Despite this, awareness of early symptoms remains low.
The KDCA stressed the importance of recognizing the early symptoms of stroke and receiving treatment within the "golden hour." Common early symptoms include: ▲ sudden weakness or paralysis in the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body ▲ sudden speech difficulties, such as slurred speech ▲ sudden narrowing of vision. Other warning signs include sudden dizziness that makes it hard to maintain balance and severe headaches unlike any experienced before, which may also indicate stroke.
If these symptoms appear, it is crucial to call 119 for help immediately and go to the nearest emergency room or a hospital capable of providing acute treatment. The "golden hour" for stroke is generally within about 4 hours and 30 minutes, which is the window for administering thrombolytic agents.
Efforts to prevent stroke are also necessary. This includes managing risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and smoking, as well as maintaining a healthy diet with regular exercise and low-sodium foods.
Im Seungkwan, Commissioner of the KDCA, stated, "Because stroke is characterized by its sudden onset, it is important to recognize early symptoms and respond promptly. I urge everyone to incorporate cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease prevention habits into their daily lives and pay attention to health management."
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