Don't let your youth fall before "stroke"! Doctors remind: Stroke screening is urgent

Recently, the news of a 19-year-old college student in Hunan suddenly suffering from brain death is heartbreaking. The occurrence of this tragedy has once again brought stroke, a "health killer", into the public eye.

In the public's perception, cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke seem to be the "patent" of middle-aged and elderly people. However, reality has repeatedly broken this perception, and stroke is ruthlessly threatening the lives and health of young people. Therefore, it is particularly important to strengthen stroke screening and raise public awareness of stroke.

1. Characteristics and hazards of stroke

Stroke, commonly known as "stroke", is an acute cerebrovascular disease with high morbidity, high disability and high mortality. When a brain blood vessel suddenly ruptures or blood cannot flow into the brain due to blood vessel blockage, it will cause local brain tissue damage, leading to a series of serious symptoms such as limb numbness, slurred speech, visual impairment and even death.

2. Causes of stroke in young people

For young people, unhealthy lifestyles and eating habits are becoming the "invisible drivers" of stroke.

1. Staying up late for a long time: disrupts the body's biological clock, causes abnormal blood pressure fluctuations, and increases the burden on blood vessels;

2. Bad eating habits: Over-reliance on fast food that is high in oil, salt, and fat will lead to increased blood lipids, increased blood viscosity, and accelerated atherosclerosis;

3. Lack of exercise: Lack of exercise under stress leads to obesity, which is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

4. Bad posture: Other bad postures, such as looking down at your phone for a long time or indulging in electronic games, affect the health of your cervical spine and indirectly affect blood supply to the brain.

These factors accumulate over time, quietly eroding young blood vessels and creating opportunities for stroke.

The Importance of Stroke Screening

Facing the threat of stroke, professional screening is crucial. Lan Yujun, a brain and heart health manager at the Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province (Provincial Brain Hospital), pointed out that stroke screening is like a "warning light" for health. Through regular screening, such as blood tests (monitoring blood lipids, blood sugar, blood pressure and other indicators), neck vascular ultrasound (checking the thickness of the carotid intima-media membrane, the presence of plaque formation, etc.), brain CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other examination methods, vascular lesions can be detected early.

Even if only slight narrowing of the blood vessels or unstable plaques are found, you can adjust your lifestyle in time under the guidance of a professional doctor, quit smoking and limit alcohol, maintain a regular work and rest schedule, eat a reasonable diet, and exercise moderately. If necessary, you can cooperate with drug treatment to control blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar, delay the progression of the disease, and reduce the risk of stroke.

Director Chai Xiaoli of the Department of Cardiology at the Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province (Provincial Brain Hospital) said that youth is precious and the tragedy of the 19-year-old college student should not be repeated. Everyone should pay attention to stroke screening and actively prevent the occurrence of stroke. By strengthening health education, raising public awareness of stroke, and promoting screening technologies and measures, we will jointly protect life and health and let vitality and hope continue over the years.

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Lan Yujun and Xiao Ming from Hunan Second People's Hospital (Provincial Brain Hospital)

Follow @湖南医聊 to get more health science information!

(Edited by Wx)