Every hour, one person suffers stroke in the UAE

Dubai: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) smart clinic is raising awareness about stroke prevention, which is the second leading cause of disability in the UAE, with 7,000-8,000 stroke patients a year. This means every hour, one person gets a stroke in the UAE.

Fifty per cent of the stroke patients in the UAE are below the age of 45, as compared to the global average, where 80 per cent of stroke patients are above the age of 65, said Dr Suhail Al Rukn, stroke and neurology consultant and head of stroke unit at Rashid Hospital.

“For the UAE, this is an alarming statistic and calls for urgent lifestyle changes and increase in awareness,” added Dr Al Rukn.

He said the reasons behind the alarming numbers are leading a sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, obesity, dependence on fatty foods and a diet high in salts.

“In the UAE, 18 to 20 per cent of the population is obese, and 20 per cent of population are diabetic,” said Dr Rukn.

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