Heart attacks and strokes on the rise

There has been an increase in heart attacks and strokes in Barbados, according to the latest statistics.

According to a release from the Barbados National Registry of Chronic Non-communicable Diseases (BNR) of the George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Centre, released Thursday for World Stroke Day, “between 2010 and 2018, the number of heart attacks has increased by 33 per cent, while strokes have increased by 15 per cent”.

“These events are occurring in young as well as older people, and strokes in particular are leaving many of its sufferers with long-term disability that affects their quality of life,” it said.

The BNR said there needs to be a greater sense of urgency on the part of individuals, communities and the Government to tackle what is a raging epidemic in the nation.

“While these events can occur in anyone, several factors place us at higher risk of having a stroke or a heart attack, and too many Barbadians accumulate these risks daily and are akin to ticking bombs about to explode,” it said.

Data from the registry indicates that 86 per cent of heart attack patients and 83 per cent of stroke patients, whose risk factors were listed, were hypertensive.

“Additionally, 75 per cent of heart attack patients and 63 per cent of stroke patients were noted to be diabetic, where this information was available,” the release added.

Smoking is a risk factor for stroke and heart attack. The Barbados Health of the Nation Study revealed that 9.2 per cent of Barbadians smoke tobacco and 14.5 per cent engage in periodic heavy episode drinking of alcohol.

“To reduce our risk, experts recommend that if you smoke, stop! If you drink alcohol, only one glass per day is permissible. Smoking and alcohol use significantly increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. The evening unwind with more than one glass of wine or more than one finger of rum and a smoke of tobacco or marijuana, is actually increasing your risk of a cardiovascular event by up to 25 per cent to 40 per cent,” the BNR statement said.

“Walking is good for the brain and the heart. Persons who walk for an hour each day can reduce their risk of stroke by 10 per cent over time.”

The BNR noted that while the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted people’s lives, it also provides the opportunity to recognise that big changes are possible.

It is estimated that COVID-19 will kill between two and three million people in 2020, but cardiovascular diseases (heart attacks and strokes) account for 18 million deaths every year, the registry noted.

In order to help prevent the diseases, the BNR called for schools to adopt effective nutrition and physical activity protocols to help children learn how to live healthier lives.

“This will have a significant impact on their lives and our entire community for generations. We have an opportunity to improve our food environment and become more locally and regionally self-sufficient. We need to grow our own foods at schools and in communities, and ban harmful items like foods with added trans fats. If there’s ever a time for us to make major changes, it is now,” it said.

“As we acknowledge World Stroke Day, we invite Barbadians to embrace the slogan of this year’s campaign and to do all in their power to not become a statistic – Don’t be the one! Encourage your friends and family members to stop those activities that endanger their health [and] engage in those which improve your length and quality of life.” (IMC)