A Pharmacist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Mr. Lanre Alege, said that no fewer than 12 million people die of stroke and heart attack every year around the globe.

Alege made the disclosure on Sunday at a lecture after the monthly keep fit exercise by the staff of UITH at the Kwara State Stadium in Ilorin. Quoting from the World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics, Alege said that stroke was higher among men than women.

Stroke is a medical condition that occurs suddenly when part of the brain is damaged.

The damage may be as a result of lack of blood supply (caused by blockages) or of rupture (bursting) of a blood vessel. Alege, who was coordinator of the keep fit exercise, said that stroke usually occurred without warning and had rendered many people totally or partially paralysed.

He listed some stroke risk factors as high blood pressure, cardiac disease, diabetes mellitus, ageing, smoking and obesity. Other factors, according to Alege are race, gender, medical history and lack of exercise.

He explained that the warning signs included sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, blurring of or dim vision on one eye and sudden severe headache.

The pharmacist also said sudden nausea or vomiting and sudden speech difficulty or slurred speech were signs of stroke, advising people to quickly seek medical attention if any of these signs were noticed.

Alege advised people to exercise regularly and avoid consumption of cigarette and alcohol.

He also advised that any ailment should be properly treated and that individual check cholesterol in the system to ensure it was within normal limits.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UITH, Prof. Abdulwaheed Olatinwo, charged members of staff of the hospital to take exercise regularly.

The CMD was represented by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Yinka Buhari, who is also the Director of Clinical Affairs of the hospital.

He said that the institution would continue to encourage adequate participation in keep fit exercises.