One in four stroke patients is under 50: BSMMU study

Approximately 13.6 out of every 1,000 people in the country suffer from a stroke, and alarmingly, 23% of these patients are under the age of 50. This means nearly one in every four stroke patients is below the age of 50, according to a study by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

The ongoing study revealed that stroke prevalence peaks among individuals aged 60-69, affecting 28% of people in this age bracket.

Stroke affects a greater proportion of men (59%) compared to women (41%). Additionally, the study found that 71% of stroke patients have hypertension, and 41% are smokers. 

Stroke occurs when inadequate blood flow to the brain causes cell death, leading to brain damage, long-term disability, and death.

The study, conducted by the Department of Public Health and Informatics at BSMMU, began last year and has thus far collected data from 168,214 individuals in the villages of Pumdi, Shahedal, Araibaria, and Gobindapur in the Hossainpur upazilas of Kishoreganj.

Md Khalequzzaman, associate professor at the Department of Public Health and Informatics and the lead researcher of the study, told TBS that it is concerning that one in every four stroke patients is under the age of 50. Also, one-third of stroke patients suffer from hypertension.

He said that reducing risk factors like hypertension is crucial to lowering stroke rates. 

Stroke data has been collected from 28,000 households in Kishoreganj through door-to-door visits. This population-based registry, which began in July 2023, is expected to conclude in March next year, the professor said.

According to "Bangladesh Sample Vital Statistics-2023," by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, stroke is the second leading cause of death in the country, among the top 10 causes of mortality.

Stroke rate on the rise

Stroke prevalence appears to have increased slightly, according to a 2022 study titled "Prevalence and Risk Factors of Stroke in Bangladesh: A Nationwide Population-Based Survey." 

Conducted by the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital, the study found a prevalence rate of 11.39 per 1,000 people in Bangladesh.

The highest prevalence was recorded in the Mymensingh division, while the lowest was in the Rajshahi division. Additionally, the study revealed that stroke is more common in rural areas compared to urban regions.

Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, head of the Department of Neurosurgery at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), told TBS that the rate of stroke is rising due to various risk factors, including stressful lifestyles, consumption of fast food, reduced physical activity, and increased cases of diabetes and hypertension.

He said strokes are becoming more common among younger individuals due to habits like staying up all night, skipping morning sleep, and maintaining unhealthy and stressful lifestyles.

"To prevent strokes, it is essential to lead a stress-free and healthy lifestyle and get adequate sleep. People with diabetes or hypertension must manage these conditions to reduce the risk of stroke," he advised.

Islam emphasised the importance of immediate medical attention for stroke patients. 

"Those who experience a stroke should be taken to the hospital promptly. If a blood vessel is blocked, opening it as soon as possible is critical. The first four hours after a stroke are crucial. If treatment begins within this window, most patients can recover fully," he said.