Every year, there are between 200 and 300 stroke cases per 100,000 inhabitants, placing us near the top of the statistics. Over the last two years, this figure has risen slightly. Unfortunately, younger patients are also affected.
“We even had a 16-year-old patient; this should serve as a wake-up call that we truly need to be vigilant, as anyone can develop this condition—a disease that is, in fact, extremely serious,” said Dr. Jovan Bozhinovski, Director of the University Neurology Clinic during the observance of World Stroke Day on October 29th.
The Clinic’s head says that stroke patients come from all age groups, though the majority are over 50 or have unmanaged risk factors.
He notes that the number of patients receiving thrombolytic therapy is low. Each year, around one hundred patients at the Clinic receive this treatment, a figure that, according to him, should be significantly higher.
Bozhinovski added that this year, a broader initiative was carried out, spanning several days and involving multiple centers across the country. Outreach activities were also conducted in Tetovo, Shtip, Ohrid, and Kochani.
“During the Clinic’s outreach event in front of the Macedonia Square plateau, 174 patients were examined; 39 percent of them were found to have risk factors, such as elevated blood pressure, blood sugar, or lipid levels. On Wednesday, the Clinic held an ‘open day’ where citizens could receive free carotid Doppler ultrasound screenings. Following the diagnostic procedure, a 74-year-old patient was found to have high-grade stenosis of both carotid arteries and was immediately admitted for further investigation and potential subsequent treatment. Although asymptomatic, this patient is at high risk of suffering a stroke, which could be fatal. Yesterday, 160 patients were examined, and significant findings were identified in 40 percent of them. Their contact information has been collected, and they will be invited to the Clinic next week for further examinations,” said Dr. Bozhinovski.