NCD Watch

Be Stroke Aware: Prevent Early．Detect Timely．Every Minute Counts

14 October 2025 (Tue)

Stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut off, causing damage to the brain tissue. The cause can be either a clot obstructing the flow of blood to the brain, known as an ischaemic stroke, or a blood vessel rupturing and preventing blood flow to the brain, referred to as a haemorrhagic stroke.

The global burden of stroke is rising. Although stroke has always been considered a condition affecting the elderly, the incidence of stroke among young and middle-aged people is on the rise. In Hong Kong, stroke is a leading killer disease. In 2024, stroke was the fourth most common cause of death with 2 911 registered deaths, of which 7.7% were in people aged 55 or below. According to the Population Health Survey 2020-22 conducted by the Department of Health, 0.8% of persons aged 15 or above reported that they had doctor diagnosed stroke. The prevalence increased with age, showing a notable rise among persons aged 75 years or above.

Up to 80% of strokes can be prevented through adherence to a healthy lifestyle and proper management of risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity. When stroke occurs, time is brain. Be familiar with the warning signs of stroke and act ‘FAST’—‘F’ace drooping, ‘A’rm weakness, ‘S’peech difficulties, ‘T’ime to call for medical assistance if indicated.

Hong Kong residents aged 45 and above with no known medical history of hypertension or diabetes can join the Government’s Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme (CDCC Pilot Scheme) for subsidised screenings of the ‘three highs’ (i.e. high blood pressure, high blood glucose and high blood lipids) and consultation services on a co-payment basis in the private healthcare sector through pairing with a family doctor of their choice, with a view to achieve the goal of "early prevention, early identification and early treatment".

Source: NCD Watch October 2025