Stroke: recognizing symptoms, preventing and acting is the key to solving the problem on time

A disease that worries many and many

By Jorge Tartaglione (*)

On October 29 was commemorated the World Day of Stroke (CVA), a date intended to sensitize the population to this disease considered, after the cardiac, second cause of death and first cause of disability in the world. It is therefore essential to reduce the impact of this scourge and to raise awareness of it is one of the most effective tools. Knowing how to recognize their symptoms, prevent them and treat them is essential to be able to act in time

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), 15 million people suffer from a vascular event brain every year in the world. . Of this group, 5 million die and another 5 million are disabled for life. In Argentina, the frequency of stroke is 1 every 9 minutes, according to data provided by the PREVISTA study (Tandil Stroke Epidemiological Evaluation Program) published in Stroke magazine in 2016

What is an ACV

It is an affection caused by a loss of cerebral blood flow (ischemic stroke) or by cerebral bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke). Data from the Ministry of Health of the Nation show that ischemic strokes are the most common and occur in 80% of cases.

Brain attack is more devastating than a heart attack, especially because of the resulting disability: usually paralysis of the body half and several times loss of speech. Therefore, we must remember that this is a preventable, treatable and curable disease, like many others.

Warning Signs

In this disease, it is very important to recognize the symptoms for early detection. Immediate medical attention is essential to reduce sequelae or complications:

* Sudden numbness or facial weakness of the arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.

* Sudden confusion or difficulty speaking or understanding language.

* Sudden difficulty in seeing one or both eyes

* Sudden difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

* Sudden headache and no known cause.

* Other possible warning signs: double vision, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting.

Symptoms can worsen or improve, or even recover completely after a few minutes or even hours. Therefore, it is essential to know that even if the symptoms are transient, they also indicate that there is a serious vascular problem.

Stroke has the same risk factors as coronary heart disease: high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, being overweight, and so on. obesity, sedentary lifestyle, salt intake, among others. As a result, it is preventable and their treatment will help prevent the first stroke and recurring accidents.

It is important to keep in mind that all people are at some risk of stroke or heart attack. Although the most likely are those with the greatest number of risk factors. Therefore, controlling risk factors becomes essential because many do not produce symptoms for years. For this, regular medical consultations and healthy living are essential elements of prevention.

Hypertension is one of the major risk factors for the development of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality. A lack of control of blood pressure can lead to a stroke.

Physical inactivity is also one of the leading risk factors for mortality and noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. As a result, physical activity still reduces cardiovascular mortality and stroke.

A balanced diet and the maintenance of sufficient weight are essential to the health of the heart and the vascular system. From the Argentine Cardiological Foundation, we recommend reducing salt intake; increase the consumption of foods rich in potbadium and fiber

(*) Cardiologist. President of the Argentine Heart Foundation (FCA).