ISLAMABAD: Stroke has become the second leading cause of death in people above 60 due to sedentary lifestyles.

It is the only non-communicable disease which attacks one person but affects the whole family.

This was stated by consultant neurologist Dr Maimoona Siddiqui at a public awareness seminar organised by Shifa International Hospital to mark the World Stroke Day. `Stroke is treatable` was the theme selected by the World Stroke Organisation this year.

Dr Maimoona said 15 million people worldwide experienced a stroke each year and six million of them did not survive. About 85pc ofall people who have suffered a stroke live in low and mid-income countries.

`Stroke attacks 15 million people worldwide every year and claims a life every six seconds. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of a person`s brain is cut off. Without blood, brain cells can be damaged or die. This damage can have different effects, depending on where it happens in the brain,` she said.

`It can affect the body and mobility, speech as well as how a person thinks and feels. Stroke is the number two cause of death and a leading cause of disability globally. Stroke also increases the risk of dementia, she said.

She said 350,000 Pakistanis suffered from stroke every year.Mortality ranges up to 30pc 118,545 deaths (61,289 females and 57,256 males).

She said 80pc of all strokes were preventable, adding that to reduce the risk people should follow seven simple rules: check your blood pressure regularly, eat healthy food, exercise, lose excess weight, reduce cholesterol and do not smoke.

Neurologist Dr Raja Farhat Shoaib said hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, oral chewing tobacco and heart diseases were the leading causes of stroke.

`Patients with hypertension are eight times more likely to have a stroke. Speech difficulties, difficulty in walking, facial weakness, double vision and numbness on theface/arm/leg and extremity weakness are a few symptoms of this deadly neurological disorder,` he said.

`There is no pain associated with stroke. If you have stress, habit of high salt intake and family history, you are at the risk,` Dr Shoaib said.

Dr Waseem Tariq suggested that those who have high blood pressure, diabetes and high blood cholesterolshouldincrease their physical activities and exercise.

`Such persons should also have healthy diet, especially fruits and vegetables. Reduce intake of salt and avoid smoking. If you smoke, seek help to stop now and learn to recognise the warning signs of a stroke and how to take action,` he suggested.