A neurologist at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Dr Priscilla Abrafi Asafo-Adjei,
A neurologist at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Dr Priscilla Abrafi Asafo-Adjei, has raised concerns over the increasing number of young people suffering strokes, warning that the condition is no longer limited to older adults.
According to her, nearly half of the more than 1,000 stroke admissions recorded annually at the hospital involve people below the age of 45.
“What’s even alarming is that it’s affecting younger individuals. These are the productive workforce; they form the focus or are the breadwinners of the family. It’s very alarming, and we all have to put in measures to protect ourselves,” she said.
Dr Asafo-Adjei made the remarks during a free community health screening exercise at Antoakrom in the Manso Nkwanta Constituency, organised by the KATH multidisciplinary stroke team in collaboration with the Member of Parliament for the area, Tweneboa Kodua Fokuo.
The exercise was aimed at identifying people with hypertension, diabetes and other conditions that increase the risk of stroke, while promoting early detection and preventive healthcare.
The Amansie West District Health Director, Dr Bernard Badu Bediako, said increasing cases of hypertension and diabetes in the district had necessitated a shift towards community-based screening.
He explained that hypertension already features among the top ten causes of outpatient department (OPD) attendance in the district, accounting for between five and six per cent of cases.
“We are realising that the youth are also getting it. Those in their 20s, 30s and 40s are also recording high blood pressure. That is why we want to pick the cases early,” he said.
Dr Bediako said the screening exercise was not limited to Antoakrom, as residents from adjoining communities were also being brought in to benefit.
He added that the District Health Directorate manages hypertension and diabetes cases locally but refers suspected stroke cases to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for further management.
“We don’t want people to develop into stroke before we can be able to detect the cases. We are detecting them early and starting treatment early, and that will give us a very good outcome or prognosis,” he stated.
Dr Bediako identified unhealthy eating habits, excessive salt and sugar consumption, fatty meals and physical inactivity as some of the lifestyle factors contributing to rising hypertension and diabetes cases.
He observed that demanding work schedules were also leaving many residents with little time for physical exercise.
He therefore urged the public to reduce their consumption of salt, fatty foods, sugary drinks and energy drinks while making regular physical activity part of their daily routines.
Health authorities have stressed the importance of regular health checks, particularly for people who may be living with undiagnosed hypertension, diabetes or abnormal cholesterol levels.
They advised people diagnosed with hypertension to adhere to prescribed medication and attend regular medical reviews.
The health professionals say sustained community screening, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment remain essential to reducing the growing burden of stroke.
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