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Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in Hong Kong. Globally, it affects 15 million people every year and takes a life away every 6 seconds, according to the World Stroke Organization. What makes stroke a devastating disease is not only the possibility of death, but also its continuous impacts on patients and their family members.
Also known as cerebrovascular accidents or a brain attack, stroke is a life-threatening emergency condition. It happens when blood flow to the brain is cut off. Brain cells then cannot get oxygen and nutrients, resulting in injuries or even death of these cells. Stroke patients may not be able to carry out important brain functions permanently, such as reasoning, speech, vision, limb movement and regulation of other organs.
There are two main types:
Transient ischemic attacks (TIA) or mini-strokes are similar to strokes. They share the same signs and symptoms. In TIAs, blood supply to the brain is interrupted briefly, usually lasting for less than a few minutes but it can be up to an hour. You will get better quickly. TIAs do not bring lasting damages.
DO NOT IGNORE TIAs. You should seek medical help promptly as they often signal a greater risk of developing a major stroke soon. About 10-15% of people who have a TIA will get a full stroke within 3 months.
The presentation and effects of strokes depend on the location of blood vessels in the brain and the extent of damage. All signs and symptoms often occur suddenly without warning.
The acronym FAST will help you immediately recognize the main symptoms:
Other possible signs and symptoms
Risk factors that can be controlled:
Risk factors that cannot be controlled:
Your doctor will look at the symptoms, medications you have been taking and your medical history to determine the probable causes of your stroke. He or she will also measure blood pressure & glucose level, evaluate mental status, and check your balance and coordination, eyesight problems, weakness or numbness of muscles including in the face and limbs.
Several tests can also be run. For instance:
Ischemic stroke
To avoid another stroke, endovascular stenting or carotid endarterectomy may be performed. It reduces the risk of another stroke caused by the plaque within the vessel.
Stenting may also be considered for severely narrowed vessel or dissected (damaged) vessel to restore blood flow to the brain.
Hemorrhagic stroke
Your doctor may also prescribe blood pressure medications, such as hydrochlorothiazide, lisinopril and amlodipine.
Strokes can impair a wide range of body functions and mental health greatly. The process of recovery often needs help from different medical professionals and some patients need long-term support.
Below is a list of common problems encountered after strokes, and what to do to cope with them better.
A healthy lifestyle plays an important role in preventing a stroke from occurring.
For eligible persons with an HKID card, the cost for Accident & Emergency Departments (A&E) in public hospitals is $180 per attendance. The cost for inpatient (acute general beds) includes $75 admission fee and $120 hospital bed fee per day. Each attendance at Rehabilitation Day Hospital is $55.
For non-eligible persons without an HKID card, the cost for A&E is $1,230 per attendance. Inpatient services in general hospitals are $5,100 per day. The cost for Rehabilitation Day Hospital is $1,320 per attendance.
Beware of waiting times which can be very long in the public sector.
For details, call the Hospital Authority at 2300 6555.
The cost of stroke treatment in the private sector varies in different private settings, and would be determined by doctor fees, medication fees, laboratory test and imaging test charges, and surgery charges, etc.
Generally, consultations with a doctor specialist neurosurgeon or neurologist in Hong Kong cost around $800 to $2,000, excluding medication fees. Diagnostic and assessment cost ranges from about $10,000 to over $25,000. Treatment packages offered in private hospitals for acute stroke cost roughly $70,000 – $90,000, excluding hospital charges and additional investigational test fees.
* All amounts are in HKD and were last updated in May 2021. No responsibility is accepted for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. It is always best to call ahead to make sure the information is still up-to-date.
This article was reviewed by Dr. Wong Ping Hong Derek 黃秉康醫生. Currently, Dr. Derek Wong is a practicing neurosurgeon at the Hong Kong Neurosurgery Centre and an Honorary Consultant in Neurosurgery at Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong. He has also been a Council member of the Hong Kong Stroke Society and the Hong Kong Society of Interventional & Therapeutic Neuroradiology since 2016.
According to Alea, consultations from a specialist neurosurgeon or neurologist are reimbursed under doctor specialist fees. Generally, high-end medical plans reimburse consultations and surgical fees in full without any sub-limit whereas local plans usually have surgical and doctor specialist limits. In regards to treatments and rehabilitation following a stroke, these are usually covered under outpatient benefits (eg. speech therapy, physiotherapy, etc.). It is important to check the extent of your outpatient benefits as well as any sub-limits.
If you have any health insurance questions, contact an advisor at Alea at [email protected].
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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