What you need to know about World Stroke Awareness Week 2020
World Stroke Day is observed on 29 October in order to raise awareness of the prevention and treatment of strokes.
From 28 October to 3 November 2020, South Africa will commemorate World Stroke Week and World Stroke Day to raise awareness about the symptoms of a stroke and the importance of taking treatment for recovery.
World Stroke Day, 29 October
It is said that one in four people will have a stroke.
“A stroke can happen to anyone, at any time and anywhere,” writes the World Stroke Organisation. “Today stroke is the leading cause of disability worldwide and the second leading cause of death, but almost all strokes could be prevented.”
The organsation says that 14.5 million people will have a stroke and 5.5 million people will die as a result of it in 2020.
“While 80 million people have survived stroke worldwide, many stroke survivors face significant challenges that include physical disability, communication difficulties, changes in how they think and feel, loss of work, income and social networks.”
In South Africa, strokes claim nearly 70 lives daily according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.