Cerebrovascular Accident: The Disease Dilemma in Sub-Saharan Africa

A stroke or Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) is an urgent medical condition marked by an abrupt impairment of the cerebralvasculature or perfusion. The main cause of ischemic CVA is elevated blood pressure. Carotid dissection, coagulation issues andillegal drug use are major contributors in younger people. For CVA patients to have a better prognosis, they must receive an early diagnosis and effective treatment. With 15 million cases worldwide, Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest incidence rates, with up to 14 strokes per 1000 people. CVA causes 5.5 million deaths annually, with over 50% of survivors permanently incapacitated. The primary cause of high morbidity and mortality from CVA and other neurological disorders in developing nations is the lack of human resources. Neurologists, neurosurgeons and psychiatrists with advanced training are in short supply in developing countries. In addition, most stroke drugs, including tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), are too costly for most patients and underdeveloped countries. The primary means of addressing the issue of the increasing number of CVAs is by implementing stroke prevention strategies, identifying individuals at increased risk and utilizing multidisciplinary stroke therapy. This approach, coupled with providing neuroimaging services and equipment to developing countries, can help curb these challenges.