June 10, 2024
With one stroke your life could end – trust me I know!
With one stroke your life could end – trust me I know!
Matthew Tukaki
Here is a simple yet horrible fact – Stroke is New Zealand’s second single biggest killer and a leading cause of serious adult disability. Over 9,500 strokes are experienced every year – that’s one every 55 minutes. Strokes can affect people at any age. 25–30% of strokes are experienced by people under the age of 65 years. I am one of those – under the age of 50 I suffered one of the worst – that left me paralysed and unable to walk normally or talk. In fact, in the initial stages post my stroke I wasn’t sure id ever recover. Things also don’t look great for me – I am Māori and an Indigenous male likely to die younger – it just got worse.
Life expectancy rates for Māori males were already crap. A 2022 study including more than 300,000 people in Australia and New Zealand found that having any type of stroke was associated with a 5.5-year reduction in life expectancy. People who had a haemorrhagic stroke lost 7.4 years of life expectancy on average. Mine was a cerebellar stroke happens when blood supply to the cerebellum is stopped. This part of the brain helps with body movement, eye movement, and balance. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic and haemorrhagic.
A cerebellar stroke happens when blood supply to the cerebellum is stopped. This part of the brain helps with body movement, eye movement, and balance. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Life expectancy at birth was 73.4 years for Māori males in 2017–2019 (up 3.1 years from 2005–2007), non-Māori males are expected to live to 80.9 years, while non-Māori females are expected to live to 84.4 years. Strokes are caused by disruptions in the blood supply to the brain, leading to brain cell damage.
There are two main types of strokes, each with different causes:
1. Ischemic Stroke
This is the most common type of stroke, accounting for about 87% of all cases. It occurs when a blood clot blocks or narrows an artery leading to the brain. The blockage can be due to:
• Thrombosis: A blood clot forms within an artery supplying blood to the brain.
• Embolism: A blood clot or other debris forms away from the brain (commonly in the heart) and travels through the bloodstream to lodge in narrower brain arteries.
• Atherosclerosis: Fatty deposits build up in the arteries, leading to narrowing and potential blockages.
2. Hemorrhagic Stroke
This type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, leading to bleeding in or around the brain. Causes include:
• High Blood Pressure: Chronic hypertension can weaken blood vessel walls, making them prone to rupture.
• Aneurysms: Weak spots in blood vessel walls can balloon out and rupture.
• Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs): Abnormal tangles of blood vessels can rupture and bleed.
• Trauma: Head injury leading to bleeding in the brain.
• Blood Thinning Medications: Overuse or adverse reactions to anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications.
Other Factors
• Heart Disease: Conditions such as atrial fibrillation can lead to the formation of blood clots that may travel to the brain.
• Diabetes: Increases the risk of stroke by accelerating atherosclerosis and causing damage to blood vessels.
• Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and physical inactivity can increase stroke risk.
• Genetics and Family History: A family history of stroke can increase an individual’s risk.
• Age and Gender: Risk increases with age, and men have a higher risk of stroke than women, although women are more likely to die from stroke.
• Previous Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Having a previous stroke or TIA increases the likelihood of a future stroke.
There are, of course, things we can all do, when it comes to stroke prevention – ive put together ten things:
1. Manage Blood Pressure
• Regular Monitoring: Keep track of your blood pressure and consult with your doctor for optimal levels.
• Medication: Take prescribed medications as directed.
• Lifestyle Changes: Reduce salt intake, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and manage stress.
2. Control Cholesterol Levels
• Diet: Eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Avoid trans fats and limit saturated fats.
• Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity.
• Medication: Take cholesterol-lowering medications if prescribed.
3. Maintain a Healthy Weight
• Diet: Focus on a balanced diet with appropriate portion sizes.
• Exercise: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week.
4. Manage Diabetes
• Blood Sugar Monitoring: Keep your blood sugar levels within the target range.
• Diet and Exercise: Follow a diabetes-friendly diet and exercise plan.
• Medication: Take any prescribed diabetes medications or insulin.
5. Quit Smoking
• Resources: Seek support from smoking cessation programs, counseling, or medications.
6. Limit Alcohol Consumption
• Moderation: Limit alcohol intake to moderate levels (up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men).
7. Exercise Regularly
• Routine: Incorporate regular physical activity into your daily routine, aiming for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
8. Eat a Balanced Diet
• Nutrient-Rich Foods: Focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
• Limit Unhealthy Foods: Reduce intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats.
9. Manage Stress
• Techniques: Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or mindfulness.
10. Regular Check-ups
• Medical Appointments: Regularly visit your healthcare provider for check-ups and screenings to monitor and manage any health conditions.
Trust me when I say this you do not want to have what I had – prevention is the key
Radio Waatea and its board would like to advise that the opinions expressed in this article are those of Matthew Tukaki and not necessarily the views of Radio Waatea, its Management or its Board. Matthew suffered a near death Stroke in 2023 while overseas on behalf of the New Zealand Ministry of Health.