Treat hypertension early to reduce stroke risk
Doctors are increasingly seeing younger patients struck down by stroke in the prime of their lives, even though advancing age is the most common factor in strokes. Singapore’s health authorities report that one in 10 stroke patients is under 50.
Obesity, smoking, stress, lack of exercise and other ills of an affluent society have contributed to the increasing incidence of this crippling and often life-terminating condition.
Fortunately, recognition and early effective treatment of hypertension reduce sufferers’ morbidity down almost to that of a normal person’s. Side effects of treatment are mostly minimal and are easy to manage.
No one should spurn modern, proven and efficacious treatment, even as traditional Chinese medicine and home remedies are used as adjuncts.
Dr Yik Keng Yeong
(Straits Times/ANN)
