A Senior Physician Specialist at the 37 Military Hospital, Dr Thomas Agbemaple, has revealed a concerning trend within the medical community: approximately eight out of ten stroke cases are linked to lifestyle choices, particularly concerning dietary habits.
According to Dr. Agbemaple, stroke is broadly classified into two major types: haemorrhagic and ischaemic. An ischaemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain becomes blocked, restricting blood flow to a part of the brain.
He explained that a haemorrhagic stroke results from a rupture in a blood vessel in the brain, while an ischaemic stroke happens when a blood vessel becomes blocked, restricting blood flow to a part of the brain. ‘There are two types of stroke,’ he stated, ‘there is a stroke resulting from a blood vessel rupturing called haemorrhagic stroke, and there is stroke resulting from a blood vessel being blocked called ischaemic stroke,’ he explained.
The physician highlighted that a significant proportion of stroke patients experience an ischaemic stroke, which occurs when blood vessels become blocked, restricting blood flow to a part of the brain.
Dr. Agbemaple attributed the increasing prevalence of ischaemic stroke partly to the accumulation of cholesterol along the walls of blood vessels, influenced by dietary choices. ‘Ischaemic stroke is cholesterol deposition in the walls of the blood vessels, and this is a lifestyle problem,’ he stated.
He emphasized that the rising consumption of foods high in fats and oils, particularly fried foods, contributes to cholesterol build-up in blood vessels, potentially leading to alarming rates of cholesterol deposition.
‘Our diets these days have been increasingly westernised with high oil and fat content, so the incidence of cholesterol deposition in the walls of the blood vessels is now increasing at alarming rates,’ he added.
Dr. Agbemaple cautioned the public to adopt healthier dietary and lifestyle habits as part of efforts to reduce some of the risk factors associated with stroke. He stressed the importance of making conscious choices regarding food and exercise to mitigate potential risks.
This study underscores the crucial role of lifestyle factors in stroke prevention and highlights the need for increased awareness regarding dietary habits within the community.
Dr. Agbemaple further indicated that further research is needed to fully understand the complex interplay of factors contributing to this trend.
This study has been published in the respected journal, Adom Online.
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Source: Adom Online
