Primordial and Primary Prevention of Ischemic Stroke in Saudi Arabia: A Combination Approach and Evolving Concepts
Bader Shirah1, Hussein Algahtani2
1Department of Neuroscience, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, 2Department of Medicine, Aseer Central Hospital
Objective:
This study reviews primordial and primary prevention of ischemic stroke in Saudi Arabia and suggests a combination approach and framework for implementation.
Background:
Ischemic stroke is a considerable public health hazard and a significant cause of disability and mortality in Saudi Arabia. Primary prevention strategies in the country are currently limited. With the health sector transformation program that depends on the principles of value-based care and applying the new model of care in disease prevention, aggressive and serious steps for primary stroke prevention are expected to be implemented.
Design/Methods:
Narrative review.
Results:
We provide a pragmatic solution to implement primordial and primary stroke prevention in Saudi Arabia and specify the roles of the government, health professionals, policymakers, and the entire population. Currently, there are several key priories for primordial and primary stroke prevention in Saudi Arabia that should target people at different levels of risk. These include an emphasis on a comprehensive approach that includes both individual and population-based strategies and establishing partnerships across healthcare providers to share responsibility for developing and implementing both strategies.
Conclusions:
This is an urgent call for action to immediately start different strategies suggested by experts in the field of stroke and is considered the foundation stone for primary stroke prevention in Saudi Arabia. If we succeeded in this mission, we will be a role model for Middle East countries to follow in our footsteps and replicate our experience. The journey is long, but definitely, this is the best time to start, especially with this promising and generous Saudi Vision 2030.