DUBAI, UAE – Health experts in the UAE are raising concerns over the significant rise in stroke cases among younger residents, with around 9,000 to 12,000 UAE residents experiencing a stroke each year.
Shockingly, nearly half of these patients are under 45, a figure that contrasts sharply with the global average age of 65 for stroke onset, according to data from the Sheikh Khalifa Stroke Institute (SKSI).
Recent cases at Zulekha Hospital in Sharjah exemplify this alarming trend. In one instance, a 45-year-old male resident under treatment for diabetes and a smoker, reported sudden weakness on the left side of his face and arm.
After a comprehensive clinical and radiologic evaluation, doctors diagnosed him with an acute stroke. Timely medical intervention allowed the patient to recover, but doctors warned that risk factors like diabetes and smoking had significantly contributed to his condition.
Another patient, aged 42, faced similar challenges. He had a history of hypertension, but his adherence to medication was erratic.
Complicating his condition further, he was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and led a sedentary lifestyle with an inconsistent diet.
Following recurrent minor strokes, doctors identified severe stenosis—a narrowing of a major brain artery. However, with optimal management, he achieved full recovery. Doctors noted that poor lifestyle habits and unmanaged health conditions had exacerbated his risk.
“Both patients had known risk factors for stroke that, unfortunately, were not adequately controlled,” said one of the attending physicians at Zulekha Hospital.
“Strokes are often preventable with lifestyle changes and appropriate medical management. These cases serve as a critical reminder of the importance of proactively addressing risk factors.”
Strokes occur due to a sudden blockage in the brain’s blood supply, often caused by a blood clot. This blockage cuts off the oxygen and nutrients necessary for brain cells, leading to rapid cell death within minutes.
Symptoms such as facial drooping, limb weakness, and speech difficulties can arise suddenly, necessitating immediate medical attention.
Stroke remains the second leading cause of death in the UAE, following heart disease, and is one of the primary causes of permanent disability.
According to the SKSI, the younger age of UAE stroke patients is largely attributed to the region’s rising incidence of lifestyle-related health issues, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and sedentary living.
Smoking and untreated sleep apnea further compound these risks. Local health experts emphasize the importance of regular health screenings, increased physical activity, and smoking cessation, especially for those with a family history of stroke or heart disease.
Beyond individual responsibility, doctors are urging a more proactive national approach to stroke prevention.
They recommend awareness campaigns to educate residents on early symptoms and lifestyle adjustments, as well as wider accessibility to stroke prevention programs.
Timely intervention is vital, with treatments such as thrombolysis or clot-busting drugs proving highly effective when administered promptly.
“Stroke is a silent killer that strikes fast, but the good news is that it’s preventable,” stressed Dr. Hussain, a neurologist affiliated with the SKSI.
“The UAE’s younger population must recognize the serious impact of lifestyle choices on their health, and take preventive actions before it’s too late.”
As the UAE welcomes 2024, healthcare providers are calling for a renewed focus on health awareness and preventive care to curb the troubling rise in stroke cases among younger adults.