Stroke, third cause of death in Italy after cardiovascular events and cancer
Stroke represents the third cause of death in our country, after cardiovascular events and neoplasms. According to data from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, as many as 200,000 cases occur every year, of which 80% are new episodes and 20% relapses. But now the problem is also global. Stroke will cause nearly 10 million deaths per year by 2050, most in poor countries. The main causes are the aging of the population and unhealthy lifestyle habits among young people. And this growing trend has seen a double increase in the last 30 years and is expected to grow further. According to a study published in the prestigious “The Lancet Neurology” by 2050 as many as 10 million people will die from strokes worldwide. “Stroke is increasing due to several factors, including the aging of the world population, the increase in cases of hypertension, diabetes or obesity,” underlines Jeyaraj Pandian, number one of the World Stroke Organization (WSO), participant in the study. Also in this case information and prevention play fundamental roles.
Stroke, deaths higher in poor countries
The study highlights that deaths in low- and middle-income countries will grow from 5.7 million in 2020 to 8.8 million in 2050, while in high-income countries they will remain practically unchanged (9% of global deaths, against 91% in the poorest countries). It is clear that these numbers are influenced by the low quality of health systems in developing countries due to lack of resources, medical care and prevention. Southeast Asian countries had the highest proportion of stroke deaths globally in 2020 (61%, approximately 4.1 million deaths), with predictions to increase by nearly 70% by 2050.” Without urgent action, stroke deaths in Southeast Asia, East Asia and Oceania could increase by almost 2 million, from 3.1 million in 2020 to potentially 4.9 million in 2050,” the researcher highlights. In Europe the increase will be “only” 34% but, on average, one person in four could suffer from a stroke throughout their life. Prevention involves controlling risk factors. Among the most important are hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, an unhealthy diet, a sedentary lifestyle and smoking. Even if age comes first. 60% of cases occur among those over 70, and only 16% among those under 50. However, the study highlights that while the mortality rate will decrease by 36% among those over 60, it will only decrease by 25% among those under 60.
Stroke, a blow that comes suddenly. How to recognize it
The stroke arrives suddenly and time and appropriate actions are the variables that can save the patient and minimize its consequences. We need to educate people to have a healthy lifestyle and teach them to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. FAST is the method used to understand and act as quickly as possible. What to do? F) Make the affected person smile to see if they move their mouth to one side, which would indicate that they are losing muscle tone; A) ask to lift each limb together or independently, since a person suffering a stroke may have one side of the body blocked; S) stroke can cause a speech disorder, which manifests itself in the inability to speak coherently or understand what others say; T) act without wasting time. When you notice one of these problems you need to call 112, describe the symptoms and wait for the ambulance which will know where to go to the nearest Stroke Unit centre. Don’t go alone to a random hospital that may not be equipped for this operation. Precious and decisive time is wasted.
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