Stroke Alert: Risk Factors, Genetic Influence, and Modern Lifestyle Shifts

Stroke remains one of the greatest health challenges in the modern era. As a vascular disease that attacks the blood vessels in the brain, stroke is triggered by a variety of complex risk factors, ranging from co-morbid medical conditions to drastic lifestyle changes.

Neurologist and neurocritical and intensive care subspecialist from the University of Indonesia Hospital (RSUI), Dr. Ramdinal Aviesena Zairinal, Sp.N(K), explained that problems with the blood vessels are the core cause of stroke. According to the doctor, when a stroke occurs, there are usually various interrelated risk factors. “There is high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and factors that cannot be controlled, such as hereditary factors,” said Dr. Zairinal.

He stressed that family history plays a significant role in increasing a person’s risk of stroke. Based on various health literature, this risk can reach 20 percent if someone has a family member with a similar history. Therefore, for those whose parents have a history of stroke, Dr. Zairinal strongly recommends early detection and stricter adherence to a healthy lifestyle. Besides genetics, blood viscosity disorders and structural abnormalities of the blood vessels are also internal factors to be wary of.

Interestingly, Dr. Zairinal highlighted a shift in stroke patient statistics. Whereas around 20 years ago the prevalence of stroke was one in six people, the figure has now increased to one in four. This rise is partly triggered by increased public awareness to get checked, but on the other hand it also reflects the poor lifestyle patterns of today. The change in diet from natural food to ultra-processed food is one of the main triggers. Furthermore, technological advances that should make life easier have instead created a trap of sedentary lifestyles or infrequent movement. “How a person rarely exercises, smokes, consumes unhealthy food, that is what makes them at risk. And also the stressors from the advancement of social media today, we cannot deny its influence on health,” he concluded.

With the increasing number of cases, the public is urged to be more proactive in managing stress and maintaining a healthy diet to minimise the risk of blood vessel damage that leads to stroke.