Doctors say that exercise and a healthy diet are important in reducing the risk of stroke. They say stroke prevention is especially important during this time of year, when a sizable gap between daytime and nighttime temperatures raises the chances of strokes.
According to figures from the health ministry, cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke have remained among the top four causes of death in Taiwan over the past decade. The statistics show that these diseases killed almost 12,000 people in 2017, which works out to one death every 44 minutes.
Hospitals and clinics in Taiwan has seen a 10% increase in the number of patients who suffer from high blood pressure. A doctor at Kaohsiung Municipal Da-Tung Hospital says high blood pressure is a major cause of stroke. Doctors say strokes don’t happen suddenly, and that if a person feels dizziness or loss of balance, they should sit or lie down and seek immediate help.
Doctors are also calling on people to adopt healthier habits in general to reduce their risk of disease. These habits include eating better, reducing sugar and salt intake, doing regular exercise, and avoiding staying up late.