November 29, 2012
Strokes affecting younger Māori
A new report has found strokes are becoming a significant issue for younger Māori and Pacific people.
Māori Health Review editor Matire Harwood says a study of stroke patients in South Auckland found the rate of Ischaemic strokes in Māori was twice the average.
She says blood and oxygen supply to the brain can be blocked by cholesterol or high blood pressure causing stiffness in a blood vessel.
"There are lots or risk factors like smoking, having blood pressure that hasn't been treated properly by the GP, high cholesterol levels; increasingly obesity is being linked to having a higher risk of stroke. Some people suggest there may be genetic reasons but I don't now that we've got enough evidence to confirm that at this stage," Dr Harwood says.
Because of the younger age structure of the Māori population the problem is likely to become worse.
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