Sergey Marchenko, Head of the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at the Minsk Scientific and Practical Center for Surgery, Transplantology and Hematology, and Chief Extramural Specialist in Angioneurology at the Ministry of Health, spoke on "Radio-Minsk" about stroke statistics in Belarus.
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According to the specialist, over the past two years, approximately 41,000 to 41,500 stroke cases were registered annually in the country. Preliminary data for 2025 suggest that the number of strokes will remain at a similar level. Previously, however, before the coronavirus pandemic, more than 44,000 cases were recorded annually.
The specialist noted that stroke remains a disease of older people, despite the widespread belief about "young strokes." An analysis of databases from the Minsk Scientific and Practical Center and the Emergency Medical Aid Hospital showed that over 11 years, 45,000 stroke patients passed through these institutions, with the proportion of young people (18-44 years old) remaining stable at an average of 3.7%, plus or minus 0.5%.
Marchenko also reminded of the main risk factors for stroke: 95% of patients have arterial hypertension. Other factors include atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels, diabetes mellitus, heart rhythm disturbances, excess weight, physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol abuse. He noted that strokes can also occur in children, although this is much rarer.
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