A Senior Physician Specialist at the 37 Military Hospital, Dr. Thomas Agbemaple, has disclosed that 8 in 10 stroke cases are caused by the way people live.

Addressing the media, he noted that the increasing consumption of foods high in fats and oils plays a major role as it contributes to the accumulation of cholesterol in blood vessels.

In addition, he urged the public to reduce their intake of junk foods and adopt healthy eating habits to help reduce the incidence of stroke.

He added that, “There are two types of stroke. There is a stroke resulting from a blood vessel rapturing called Hemorrhagic Stroke and there is stroke resulting from a blood vessel being blocked called Ischemic stroke. Now, 8 out of 10 people who have a stroke will have an ischaemic stroke, that is blood clogging in the vessels.

“Ischaemic stroke is cholesterol deposition in the walls of the blood vessels and this is a lifestyle problem. The cholesterol comes from oils and fats in your diet so to the point that our diets these days have been increasingly westernised with high oil and fat content, the incidence of cholesterol deposition in the walls of the blood vessels is now increasing at alarming rates. People’s diets are now heavily laden with fats and oils. We eat a lot of fried foods.”

In 2024, a report from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital revealed that the facility records over one thousand stroke admissions annually, a stark contrast to the mere 200 cases recorded four decades ago.

To enhance stroke treatment, the hospital has introduced a time-sensitive and minimally invasive treatment approach.

Ischemic strokes, caused by reduced blood flow due to a clot, are prevalent at the hospital.

However, effective treatment remains a challenge, prompting experts to explore modern treatment options.

Traditionally used drugs did not effectively dissolve blood clots, resulting in permanent disabilities for patients.

The introduction of active stroke thrombolysis aims to administer clot-busting drugs during acute ischemic strokes, dissolving blood clots in the brain.

This new service will integrate thrombolysis into routine stroke care at the hospital, revolutionizing treatment methods.

Consultant Neurologist at KATH, Dr. Fred Stephen Sarfo, hailed the implementation of thrombolysis services as a groundbreaking advancement.

Stroke has been noted as a top rampant medical condition being recorded in the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

Treatment remains a challenge while experts explore contemporary treatment methods.

The drugs and medication previously used in stroke treatment did not dissolve blood clots, hence, leaving patients with a permanent disability.

Active stroke thrombolysis will administer clot-busting drugs and medication to dissolve blood clots in the brain during an acute ischemic stroke.

Thrombolysis services will incorporate thrombolysis into routine stroke care at Komfo Anokye (KATH).

At the launch of the implementation of thrombolysis services, Consultant Neurologist at KATH, Dr. Fred Stephen Sarfo said the new method is revolutionary.