By Asma’u Ahmad
The Director, Stroke Action Group, Dr. Biodun Ogungbo said that stroke was easier to prevent than to treat.
Dr. Ogungbo made this assertion in an interview with the Newsmen in Abuja on the occasion to commemorate the World Stroke Day.
“If someone had a stroke and was rushed to the hospital for emergency, the person will require blood test, ECG, chest X-ray, Ultrasound scan, brain scan and other initial treatment.
“Others could require a blood clotting drug and that put together could cost almost a million naira at two or three hours of arrival in the hospital. However, for a lot of people they would need continued care, lifelong medication to prevent further stroke.
Ogungbo told newsmen that prevention was better than cure, adding that healthier lifestyle choice was the preventive measure.
He said the stroke day was to sensitise Nigerians on risk associated with stroke, adding that hypertension was a risk factor of stroke.
“Hypertension is a silent killer and does not give any sign, immediately hypertension start giving signs, then, it has damaged the heart, brain and eyes. The complications can occur at any time even during sleep,” Ogungbo said.
He, however, said the day was to remind Nigerians on causes and preventive measures on spine issues, neurological, stroke, heart attack and sudden death.
Ogungbo advised Nigerians to embark on regular medical check-up to prevent heart and brain related illnesses.
