<\/p>\n
Durban \u2013 KwaZulu-Natal health HOD, Dr Sandile Tshabalala, is urging communities to embrace an active lifestyle instead of blaming cardiovascular diseases on witchcraft.<\/p>\n
Tshabalala\u2019s comments come as the country is observing World Stroke Week, between October 28 and November 3.<\/p>\n
According to recent research by academics at Unisa and the University of Johannesburg, stroke is among the Top 10 leading causes of disability in SA, and accounts for nearly 25 000 deaths annually.<\/p>\n
He said communities need to move away from a mindset that seeks to attribute all that is bad to witchcraft without interrogating it; and instead face up to the reality that there are scientific explanations for diseases such as stroke, as well as the fact there is a lot that we can do as individuals to prevent them.<\/p>\n
\u201cExercising or taking a walk for about 30 minutes at least three times a week can assist greatly to open up your blood vessels, and improve blood flow.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn the other hand, if you smoke, you\u2019re actually depositing tar into your vessels, which makes them thinner, preventing blood from flowing freely,\u201d Tshabalala said.<\/p>\n
Tshabalala emphasised that what an individual eats and drinks may also determine whether they\u2019re placing themselves at risk of suffering a stroke.<\/p>\n
\u201cConsuming too much sugar, salt or fat is not good for our bodies. Regularly drinking too much alcohol also raises your risk of a stroke.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to go back to basics. Before there was sugar, our forefathers used to boil food. The spices that many people like so much nowadays do not go beyond the mouth. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe must get to a point where we eat food not because it tastes good, but with a view to ensure that we give our bodies the nutrients that they need,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
A leading vascular surgeon in South Africa, Dr Vinesh Padayachy highlights the need for South Africans to monitor their stress levels and alcohol and tobacco consumption.<\/p>\n
There are symptoms to look out for that are easy to remember as FAST:<\/strong><\/p>\n F \u2013 facial weakness<\/p>\n A \u2013 arm weakness<\/p>\n S \u2013 slurred speech<\/p>\n T \u2013 time.<\/p>\n Other signs to look out for include:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2013 difficulty walking<\/p>\n \u2013 loss of balance<\/p>\n \u2013 confusion<\/p>\n \u2013 blurred vision<\/p>\n \u2013 numbness in one or more limbs<\/p>\n \u2013 severe headaches.<\/p>\n Seeing these symptoms, a patient should be rushed to the hospital immediately.<\/p>\n