About 41 thousand cases of stroke are observed annually in Belarus. 

October 27, Minsk . About 41,000 strokes occur annually in Belarus. Sergei Marchenko, head of the neurology and neurosurgery department at the Minsk Scientific and Practical Center for Surgery, Transplantology, and Hematology, told reporters at an event marking World Stroke Day, a BELTA correspondent reports. "Since the beginning of this year, 1,653 people with stroke have already been treated at our center . We expect a national figure of approximately 41,000 for the entire year. There has been no increase in the number of visits," Marchenko said.

"Stroke is a devastating disease that leaves an indelible mark on people's lives. Strokes can be ischemic or hemorrhagic. The former involves blockage of a cerebral artery, while the latter involves a rupture of the vessel and bleeding into the brain tissue. Hemorrhagic stroke is somewhat more fatal than ischemic stroke. In Belarus, 85% of stroke cases are ischemic and 15% are hemorrhagic. This ratio is an achievement of the healthcare system, in particular, the preserved primary health care network. Thanks to regular medical examinations, people are aware of their chronic diseases and manage them. For example, in the Central Asian countries, with which Belarus once formed part of the Soviet Union, the proportion of hemorrhagic strokes exceeds 50%," he added.

According to Sergei Marchenko, risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol,Excess weight , arrhythmia, diabetes, smoking, alcohol abuse, and a sedentary lifestyle are common causes. In Belarus, as elsewhere in the world, stroke is one of the three leading causes of death and, unfortunately, the number one cause of disability.

The country has a network of specialized departments that provide care for stroke patients. It includes 35 hospitals, 24 of which are equipped with angiography machines. More than 2,000 beds have been deployed, 166 of which are for intensive care patients.

The neurologist added that the Moscow Scientific and Practical Center for Surgery, Transplantology, and Hematology has also been offering courses for neurologists specializing in strokes for three years now. During this time, more than 300 neurologists have completed these courses, improving their knowledge and enabling them to provide more confident and effective care to patients.