Stroke is one of the main causes of death and functional limitation in the world. Although it may seem unpredictable, since it happens suddenly, with good lifestyle habits it is possible to significantly reduce your risk. In fact, preventing a stroke is mostly in the hands of patients. Thus, 80% depends on your lifestyle and 20% depends on the prescribed drugs.
According to data from the Hospital Clínic Barcelona, one in six people will have a stroke throughout their life. Every six minutes a stroke occurs in the world, and every 14 minutes a patient dies from a stroke in Spain. This is the second most frequent cause of death internationally, and the first among women in Spain. Therefore, prevention is especially crucial in your case.
Age, hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, inactivity and tobacco are risk factors
Stroke is the most disabling neurological disease. Thus, it is the main cause of physical disability in adults and the second in cognitive impairment. A third of the survivors manage to recover satisfactorily, while another third have serious consequences; the rest of those affected face fatal consequences. One in three deaths occurs during hospital stay, while the others occur in the following months.
But what does a stroke consist of? Well, it is the interruption of blood flow to the brain due to the rupture or blockage of a blood vessel. If blood does not reach an area of the brain for several minutes, the affected nerve cells die. Hence the importance of acting quickly. Dr. Xabier Urra, neurologist at Hospital Clínic Barcelona, highlights that the brain “is a complex organ in which different areas control various functions.” This explains why a stroke can affect very different functions, either permanently or during that episode.
The main factor on the extent of the consequences is their initial severity, related to the size of the blocked artery and the area of the brain affected. Another determinant is age, since older patients have a limited capacity for recovery and often have other diseases that can complicate their evolution. Biological age is more relevant than chronological age.
Neurology expert at the Hospital Clínic Barcelona Arturo Renú emphasizes that the symptoms vary depending on the part of the brain affected and include speech alterations, vision problems and weakness in the extremities. “Advanced age, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, physical inactivity, and tobacco or drug use are significant risk factors,” he indicates.
Every minute that passes after a stroke, two million neurons are lost
To detect a stroke, Dr. Urra recommends three simple but effective maneuvers. “The first thing is to ask the patient to make a grimace or smile to check if it is symmetrical, then raise both arms to detect possible paralysis on one side, and finally speak to identify problems in language articulation,” he lists. If any of these functions fail, you must call 112 immediately. “This activates an alert that prepares health personnel to receive the patient,” he clarifies.
The treatment of ischemic stroke includes two phases. The first thing is to restore blood flow to minimize brain damage. “Every minute that passes, two million neurons are lost,” emphasizes Dr. Urra. In the second stage, the goal is to prevent future episodes. As the expert adds, “preventive treatment adjusted to the cause of the stroke is administered.” Rehabilitation allows the patient to adapt to their new situation.
How to avoid a stroke
The Mediterranean diet, effective in prevention
Healthy eating: Doctors advise following a varied diet, rich in vegetables and fruits, low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and with plenty of fiber. Likewise, they affirm that salt consumption should be limited, which helps control tension. In summary, the Mediterranean diet, with virgin olive oil and nuts, effectively reduces the risk of stroke.
Regular physical exercise: You should practice at least half an hour of moderate exercise, five days a week. For example, you can walk, run or cycle. With activities like these, cardiovascular health is maintained properly.
Tobacco-free: You have to stop smoking. Doctors are categorical about this, since tobacco is one of the main risk factors for stroke.
Avoid toxins and drugs: Illegal substances, such as cocaine or amphetamines, increase the possibility of suffering a stroke.
Drug use: Preventive medications, such as antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants, should be tailored to the cause of the stroke. Hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol must also be controlled.
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