Assoc Prof Dr Nguyen Huy Thang, Chairman of the HCM City Stroke Association, speaks at the conference. (Photo: VNA) Held to mark World Stroke Day, it attracted the participation of seven topinternational experts and more than 500 local doctors and healthcareprofessionals.
Stroke is a devastating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. InVietnam, more than 200,000 people suffer from it every year.
It happens when blood supply to a part of the brain is cut off. Without rapidintervention, brain cells are damaged and, in the worst-case scenario, can evendie, affecting the functions controlled by that area. This could result insevere mobility impairments, paralysis, permanent loss of speech or vision, oreven death.
Assoc Prof Dr Nguyen Huy Thang, chairman of the association, said: “Stroke isbecoming the most common cause of death, ahead of cardiovascular diseases, inmany countries including China and Vietnam. Fortunately, it is to some extentpreventable by closely monitoring health risk factors; managing blood glucose,blood pressure, and cholesterol in a healthy range; having a healthy diet andlifestyle; and especially receiving necessary treatment if atrial fibrillationis detected.
“It is important for doctors and patients to discuss all available treatmentoptions to ensure the patient receives the best medication. Once these factorsare controlled, the risk of stroke can be reduced significantly.”
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is an abnormal heart rhythm characterised by rapid andirregular beating of the atria. It can lead to blood clots and if a clot breaksoff, enters the bloodstream and lodges in an artery leading to the brain, astroke results. Patients with AF face a five-fold increase in the risk of astroke compared with those without AF.
There is no cure now for atrial fibrillation, but there are several approachesthat can slow or prevent symptoms, making it easier for patients to manage thecondition. Various drugs have been developed to inhibit clot formation inpatients with AF, thus reducing embolic complications from the diseaseincluding stroke.
As a leading global life sciences company, Bayer is constantly researching anddeveloping innovative medications and new therapeutic approaches that help makea difference to people’s lives.
In thrombosis management, the company has developed the first direct oralFactor Xa inhibitor for the prevention and treatment of life-threatening bloodclots.
Ingo Brandenberg, general director of Bayer Vietnam, said: “At Bayer, we areproud of our heritage in providing new treatment options for patients sufferingfrom heart and blood conditions. Aiming to reduce the burden that stroke posesto families, community and society, Bayer is working in collaboration withleading scientific, academic and industry partners to improve our understandingof cardiovascular diseases and find innovative approaches for patients.
“In addition, we call for the active participation of patients and theirfamilies in stroke prevention and treatment as it is a key factor in improvingpatient and treatment outcomes.”
Understanding that many diseases and their often life-threatening consequencescould be avoided by effective preventive measures and timely treatment, Bayerstrives to raise public awareness and drives action on stroke through a widerange of activities worldwide.
In 2021 it joined forces with the Vietnam Administration Medical Service todevelop a digital multi-platform portal named Stroke which includes a website,fanpage and Youtube channel to provide the community with educational andscientifically accurate information about causes and symptoms of stroke,treatment and prevention by lifestyle changes and treatment compliance.
World Stroke Day is marked on October 29 every year.
It was established by the WSO and provides a global platform for the strokecommunity to increase awareness and drive action on stroke episodes around theworld.
With continued focus on the importance of knowing the signs of stroke and thepower of saving #PreciousTime, the 2022 World Stroke Day will build on themomentum of last year’s ‘Minutes Can Save Lives’ campaign./.
VNA
