Iranian Community in Belgium

Stroke in Iran: Alarming Statistics Reveal Early Onset and Growing Risks

operation, operating room, surgery

Stroke has become a pressing health issue in Iran, where the average age of onset is nearly a decade lower than the global average, according to recent findings presented by Ehsan Sharifipour, Secretary of the Iranian Stroke Association.

Citing two national studies from 2010 to 2020, conducted across regions including Khorasan, Qom, and central Iran, Sharifipour reported that stroke is the country’s second leading cause of death, with approximately 150 cases per 100,000 people annually—1.5 times the world average.

Speaking with ISNA news agency, Sharifipour highlighted a striking disparity: while the average age of stroke globally is between 75 and 80 years, in Iran, it occurs between ages 65 and 70. This early onset, he explained, demands an urgent national response, with coordinated efforts across healthcare, public awareness, and policy initiatives to mitigate risk factors and reduce stroke incidence.

Risk Factors and the Increasing Burden of Stroke in Iran
Sharifipour, a professor at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, pointed out that the risk of stroke doubles with each decade after age 50. However, strokes can affect adults as young as 18, further underscoring the wide-reaching impact of this condition. Stroke ranks as Iran’s second most common cause of death after heart disease, with an estimated 20-30% mortality rate within the first month after a stroke. “One in five people who suffer a stroke will not survive,” Sharifipour noted.

Emphasizing that stroke can be prevented through better management of risk factors, Sharifipour stressed the importance of timely intervention. He explained the concept of the “golden hour”—the critical minutes and hours following a stroke when treatment is most effective. “If stroke victims reach medical centers during this window, there’s a higher likelihood of successful treatment,” he said.

The Importance of Timely Intervention and the Golden Window of Treatment
The first 4.5 hours following a stroke are crucial for preserving brain function. “Every minute saved can prevent the loss of two million brain neurons,” Sharifipour explained. Advances in endovascular treatment have extended this golden period up to six hours, and, in certain cases, up to 24 hours if brain tissue is still viable.

However, Sharifipour also acknowledged the need for better support systems to aid stroke recovery. “While stroke can be prevented, treated, and rehabilitated, insurance coverage in Iran falls short, making it difficult for patients to access necessary rehabilitation services,” he said.

Preventing Stroke: The Role of Lifestyle and Medical Care
Sharifipour identified several key stroke risk factors: high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, stress, and sleep disorders. For individuals who remain physically active and adopt healthier diets, the risk of stroke is significantly lower. Regular blood pressure monitoring and proactive treatment of high blood pressure are particularly effective in reducing stroke risk.

The Iranian Stroke Association has also highlighted how lifestyle issues, combined with chronic societal stress, contribute to the rising stroke cases. Recently, Mohammad Reza Azizi, Deputy Researcher at the Medical System Organization, reported that roughly 500 people in Iran suffer strokes daily, with at least a third losing physical abilities as a result.

Persistent stress and anxiety, fueled by Iran’s economic, social, and political challenges, are aggravating factors. “Chronic stress is one of the most significant contributors to stroke,” Azizi emphasized, adding that the country’s ongoing unrest has only intensified this risk.