“This is not a disease unique to older people.”

He ictus It is the leading cause of disability in adults. And the second most common cause of death after coronary heart disease.

Every year there are almost 12 million cases and more than 7 million deaths worldwide. This Tuesday, October 29, is World Stroke Day.

Over the past 30 years, the number of cases has increased by 70% and deaths by 44%.

In our country, according to the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN), more than 90,000 new cases of stroke have been registered. 23,000 people die every year.

As he explains “Health Guides” He Dr. Juan Carlos PortillaCoordinator of the Stroke Unit at the San Pedro de Alcántara Hospital in Cáceres, age is a major risk factor.

25% of people who have a stroke are young

Dr. Juan Carlos Portilla

— Neurologist

However, in recent years there has been a noticeable increase stroke rate in young peoplefrom 25 to 64 years old. “They now account for 25% of all hospitalizations for this disease.”

Inigo UriarteA 47-year-old man suffered a cryptogenic stroke of unknown origin in November 2022. It happened while working from home. “I was alone and I started getting dizzy and vomiting and started hearing a ringing in my head,” he says over the phone. Lying in the middle of the hall, he was able to call 112, which quickly activated the “strike code.”

Iñigo learned of the illness that brought him to the emergency room “when I read the newspaper that accompanied the food at the hospital.” “I had no idea what a stroke was, what symptoms it caused, or whether it was normal for young people with no pre-existing conditions.”

Almost two years later, Inigo has fully recovered from the stroke and leads a normal life, with virtually no consequences.

“There are very few visible, although there are still some on the left side of my body. There are many people who have trouble concentrating after a stroke or can barely tolerate noise.”

Near death experience

He leads a “relatively normal” life, but admits that “I’m afraid all the time, and it’s already part of my life.” He had a “near-death experience” and was told by neurologists that he survived.

Depression and anxiety are quite common psychological consequences in this type of patient. However, resuming daily activities can also help turn the page.

Therefore, in addition to the support of family and friends, as well as a sense of humor, sport played a fundamental role in the entire process after illness.

A mountain runner, he has shown that sport is key to recovery from stroke. “The first day I went for a run, I was running around the hospital because I was afraid I was going to have another stroke.”

Since I suffered a stroke in 2022, I have been living with fear in my body, but it has not stopped me from living a normal life.

Inigo Uriarte

— Stroke survivor

And Inigo had no previous medical conditions, no heart problems, diabetes or cholesterol problems that might have warned him that he might have a stroke in the future. And that’s what makes me live with “fear in the body”.

Contrary to what many of us may think, stroke “is not exclusively a disease of older people.”

Why are more cases of stroke occurring in young people?

Stroke is a disease that is classically associated with age. Dr. Portilla emphasizes that in general occurs after 65 years of age. Although rare, cases of childhood stroke can occur.

The increase in incidence among young people, he emphasizes, is associated with risk factors that affect this age group.

“For example, work related stress “It is more common in middle-aged people, so they are more prone to stroke if we also add other risk factors such as high blood pressure, sedentary lifestyle or obesity.”

Other bad habits such as bad diet smoking or other medicationsare the cause of many cases of stroke, of which two types are distinguished:

• He ischemic strokewhich accounts for almost 80% of strokes occurring in Spain and occurs when a blood clot prevents or impedes the flow of blood to the brain.
• He hemorrhagic strokewhich accounts for almost 20% of the remaining cases and occurs when one of the brain’s blood vessels ruptures, cutting off circulation.

The speed with which symptoms are recognized and medical attention is provided is important for a good prognosis.

The Spanish Society of Neurology 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 the emergency room if any stroke symptoms occur is even lower.

If a patient is not treated within the first few hours, the likelihood of death or serious disability is halved.

For every minute spent without blood reaching the brain almost two million neurons die. If you suspect a stroke, you should immediately report it to emergency services to minimize the consequences.

Warning signs of stroke

We are all “potential stroke candidates.” The likelihood increases if certain risk factors are met.

It is very important to know what the symptoms are so that you can quickly recognize the presence of the disease and go to the hospital as soon as possible.

• Loss of facial strengtharm and/or leg on one side of the body, sudden onset.
• Disorders sensitivitya tingling sensation in the face, arm and/or leg on one side of the body.
• Sudden loss of vision, partial or complete, in one or both eyes.
• Sudden change in speech difficulty expressing.
• Headache that suddenly began, of unusual intensity and for no apparent reason.
• Feelings of extreme dizziness, instability, imbalance, or sudden falling.

Be sure to call 112, even if they disappear after a few minutes.