RISING MEDICAL PROBLEM IN PREGNANCY. STROKE

One of the most important use of epidermiological data is to see disease patterns, what we may call the bigger picture. In the online edition of the journal Stroke, Dr Elena Kuklina reviewed the CDC ( Center for disease control and Prevention ) data on admissions for pregnancies, related to strokes. She found that over the last 15 years, there has been a rising incidence of strokes in pregnant females. Between the periods 1994-1995 there were 4085 cases of admission for strokes in pregnant females. From 2006-2007, this number has risen to 6293 ( a rise of 54% ). In 2006-2007, this gave a stroke incidence of 0.71 per 1,000 deliveries. This is high. Strokes experienced in the ante-natal and delivery phase, were mainly thrombotic strokes and strokes experienced in the post natal phase are mainly hemorrhagic strokes.
Obviously, the most important question to answer is WHY? Why is the stroke incidence rising?
I suppose, this may be because of the rising incidence of hypertension and heart disease amongst pregnant females. Of course, the population is delaying child-birth till later as youths seek to further their career, before settling down. Of course, there is a rising trend of obesity and diabetes. Or maybe a combination of all of the above.
We must work hard to reduce this rising trend, as it can be very devastating, socially, to bring a child into this world and to have the mother unable to take care of the baby.
As always prevention is better than cure, and the younger generation must learn to eat healthily, and exercise regularly.
A stroke during or after delivery is a small catastrophe and must be avoided at all cost.
Please pregnant mothers and mothers to be, take care of yourself. Avoid hypertension, diabetes, obesity through a balanced diet, exercise regularly and maintain an ideal weight.