PETALING JAYA: One in four Malaysians will suffer a stroke by 2040 if urgent preventive steps are not implemented, warned Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia senior family medicine consultant and lecturer Assoc Prof Dr Aznida Firzah Abdul Aziz.
She said the statistics for Malaysia were confirmed by the 2016 Global Burden of Disease Stroke Statistics Worldwide Survey, which is the latest on record.
“The alarming projection prompts a critical examination of the current state of stroke prevention efforts in Malaysia and potential strategies to mitigate the looming crisis.
“Worse still the reality that even today, Malaysia witnesses an average of nearly 130 cases daily, and an alarming rate of almost 32 deaths per day from strokes.”
Aznida added that a 2019 research by the US National Library of Medicine noted 47,911 stroke cases were reported in Malaysia that year.
“Of this figure, 19,928 of the victims died, while there were 443,995 prevalent stroke cases in the country with a staggering total loss of 512,726 Disability-Adjusted Life Years.”
She said in Malaysia, stroke or cerebrovascular disease ranks as the third leading cause of death, adding that stroke survivors often grapple with various morbidities, while seven out of 10
require external support for daily living.
“This underscores the critical importance of addressing key risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol to battle the devastating impact of strokes.”
On public campaigns, Aznida said they were largely ineffective and “the prevalence of diseases like diabetes and hypertension continues to rise”.
She also noted poor health literacy among Malaysians was a contributing factor, with many misled by inaccurate information and quick-fix remedies promoted by irresponsible influencers.
On socio-economic factors such as stress, poverty and rising food costs, Aznida said they also contributed to poor lifestyle choices, particularly among low-income individuals.
“To address such issues, public health measures should include improved campaigns, health education in schools, increased taxes on unhealthy items and empowering individuals to take responsibility for their health.”
She said technology could play a significant role in enhancing early stroke detection and intervention, adding that accessibility to technology and health literacy levels must be considered.
“Without widespread access to technology and an understanding of its benefits, its potential impact may be limited.
“Community engagement and education are critical in raising awareness about stroke risk factors and promoting healthier lifestyles,” she said.
“Continuous and regular health campaigns, driven by the community and healthcare authorities, should be a priority.”
Aznida also said health campaigns should be an ongoing effort to instil a sense of responsibility among communities.
She said while there are successful international models for stroke prevention, their application in Malaysia must be carefully considered.
“Social and cultural adaptability, as well as differences in healthcare systems, should be taken into account before adopting strategies from abroad.
“Exploring opportunities between private and public healthcare institutions, data sharing and establishing clear guidelines for collaborations are essential.”
She added that government and healthcare institutions must collaborate effectively to implement policies that address the root causes of rising stroke cases.
She said to achieve a meaningful impact over the next two decades, a sustained approach is necessary.
Preventing the predicted surge in stroke cases requires a multi-faceted approach.
“This involves improving health literacy, reducing stroke risk factors, fostering public-private partnerships and addressing health financing to ensure healthcare equity.”
