Stroke affects nearly 12 million people annually and causes more than 7 million deaths worldwide.

October 29 marks World Stroke Day, a cerebrovascular disease that, according to recent research, Global Burden of Disease. The same study also indicates that there are nearly 12 million cases of stroke and more than 7 million deaths from the disease each year worldwide. The figures, which compared with data used 30 years ago, represent a 70% increase in cases, a 44% increase in deaths and a 32% increase in disability.

In Spain, according to the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN), there are about 90,000 new cases of stroke every year, and in 2023 the disease caused more than 23,000 deaths. Moreover, more than 30% of stroke survivors in Spain are currently in a dependent situation due to long-term disability resulting from the consequences of the disease: stroke is the leading cause of disability in Spain. in at least 40% of cases, a stroke leaves serious consequences.

Quick actions have a positive impact on consequences

“There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke, which accounts for almost 80% of strokes occurring in Spain and occurs when a blood clot prevents or impedes blood flow to the brain; and hemorrhagic stroke, which accounts for almost 20% of the remaining cases and occurs when the rupture of one of the blood vessels in the brain impairs circulation,” explains Dr. Mª Mar Freijo, coordinator of the Cerebrovascular Diseases Group of the Spanish Society of Neurology.

And he adds: “In any case, regardless of the type of stroke, the speed with which medical care was provided when the first symptoms appeared will greatly influence the prognosis of patients. Considering that for every minute that passes without blood reaching the brain, nearly 2 million neurons die, this explains why the phrase “time is brain” is always associated with this disease. If you suspect a person is having a stroke, you should call an ambulance immediately as this is a medical emergency.

In recent years, thanks to advances that have occurred in Europe and in particular in Spain, both in the treatment and detection of the disease, as well as in the increase in the number of stroke units (hospitalization units for the admission of stroke patients) or the Stroke Code (a procedure for coordinated actions of all health care workers in case of suspected stroke), the mortality rate has decreased significantly. Compared to the last 30 years, mortality rates in Western European countries are estimated to have fallen by more than 68%.

Know how to recognize symptoms

“However, at SEN we believe there is still greater room for improvement. Firstly, because there are still provinces in Spain that do not yet have stroke units; and secondly because, according to our estimates, the Stroke Code is only used in approximately 40% of cases currently treated in Spain, mainly because there is still a very high percentage of the population unable to identify stroke symptoms and. does not call 112,” says Dr. Mª Mar Freijo.

SEN estimates that only 50% of the Spanish population knows how to recognize the symptoms of the disease, and the percentage of the population that knows to call an ambulance if any symptoms occur is even lower. For this reason, he insists on remembering to call 112 if you have symptoms, even if they disappear after a few minutes. These include: sudden loss of strength or sensation in any part of the body; sudden change in language with difficulty speaking or understanding; sudden vision loss, such as loss of vision in one eye or double vision; sudden loss of coordination or balance; and a very severe headache.

On the other hand, there is room for improvement in disease prevention. Older age is a risk factor for stroke and for this reason its prevalence is expected to increase in the European Union over the next 10 years. But age is not the only risk factor for developing this disease. In fact, in Europe the main risk factors for stroke are high blood pressure and high cholesterol, risk factors that can be controlled.

“One in four Spaniards will suffer a stroke in their lifetime”

“We estimate that about 90% of strokes could be avoided with a healthy lifestyle, as many stroke risk factors are modifiable or controllable. For example, major risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol or diabetes, can be controlled. And we have the power to avoid others, such as smoking, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, obesity, alcoholism, drug use…” emphasizes Dr. Mª Mar Freijo. “Currently, one in four Spaniards will suffer a stroke in their lifetime, and it is the responsibility of each of us to try to reduce this number,” he explains.

SEN also wants to insist that stroke is not exclusively a disease of older people: approximately 15-20% of patients are under 50 years of age and even, although rare, cases of stroke in children can occur. Although the disease is still more common after age 65, there has been an increase in incidence among people aged 20 to 64 in recent years, and the reasons for this increase are largely due to poor health. lifestyle.

To improve stroke prevention, care and rehabilitation, the SEN and its members were very actively involved in the update of the NHS Stroke Strategy 2024, which was launched on 22 October, taking another step on the path outlined by the Strategy National Health System stroke program introduced in 2009.