Statistics show that stroke is the silent epidemic of the 21st century. And the word “epidemic” is not chosen at random: it is the second leading cause of global death and in Spain alone, 110,000-120,000 people suffer strokes each year. Everything happens too fast… and you have to act even faster: when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted and the resulting neuronal damage occurs, every minute counts.

These are the keys you probably didn’t know about this heart disease that, unfortunately, we hear about it more and more:

• Stroke is not a disease of older people. It affects working-age adults, youth and even children. In short, it can affect anyone. One in three strokes occurs in people who are working and it is not a residual volume, but a greater impact on young adults.
• Stroke is the leading cause of death in women. In Spain, more than twice as many women die each year from stroke than from breast cancer and 14 times more than from traffic accidents (up to 16,000 women per year, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE). Why is it more common in women? The causes need to be continued to be investigated, but more than physical causes, it is believed that this may be due to socio-cultural factors.
• Strokes are “expensive”. The average cost of a stroke during the first year is 27,711 euros. Two-thirds of these costs, over €18,000 during the first year, correspond to informal care, such as services provided by non-professionals, who are mainly family members, with this cost falling on the family environment. .
• Half of those affected by stroke are left with disabilities or die. Acting on time can save lives and is also important with respect to the seriousness of the possible consequences.

What are the main sequences?

Each year, Spain adds 48,000 new people who present some degree of spasticity after a stroke, that is, they have stiff or strained muscles of their upper limbs (such as the hands or wrists) or lower limbs (feet). These sequelae make it difficult for them to perform activities of daily living such as sitting in a chair or lifting objects with their hands. Rehabilitation will help them.

What are the warning signs of stroke?

The first thing to remember is that stroke symptoms are sudden and sudden. So, if we pay attention from moment to moment we must be alert:

• Agility and facial paralysis (we can ask the person to smile)
• Loss of strength or weakness on one side of the body (we may ask the person to raise their arms).
• Speech or comprehension problems (We may ask the person to answer a simple question. What’s your name?).

important! Even if we only notice one of the warning signs, we should act, call emergency services and not wait for the symptoms to pass.

What can we do if we detect any of these symptoms while seeking help?

While the ambulance arrives and the “stroke code” is activated, there is a lot you can do to help the victim:

• Keep your head and shoulders raised slightly.
• Write the time of onset of symptoms.
• Do not let him eat or drink (he may choke).
• Do not leave the patient alone.
• Do not give him any medicine.
• And if you’re alone, leave the door open so emergency services can enter.

What is a stroke code?

It is a health action protocol that prioritizes medical care and seeks to urgently transfer the affected person to a hospital with a stroke unit by emergency services. Reducing the time to action – from the appearance of symptoms of a stroke until an appropriate hospital can act – is important to ensure that the sequelae are shorter and less severe.

What is a “protected brain space”?

Brain-preserving places are both public and private places that have been prepared and have enough training to detect and function! If its features contain a stroke. Companies, supermarkets, town halls, banks, means of transportation, gyms, restaurants, fashion, hotels and other public services are the major places where an employee can detect, respond to, and alarm at the symptoms of a stroke in a person. can activate. They may be the first link in the network that makes up the stroke survival chain. In many companies, institutions such as the Senate, the Royal Theater or Real Madrid are brain-preserving places.

How do you get the seal to be a safe brain space?

From a very accessible online training designed to eliminate the hassles of face-to-face training. The estimated dedication of the student is 3 hours. The content is supported, developed in collaboration with the Spanish Society of Neurology and 100% subsidized through FUNDAE as part of CSR programs in companies. This training is part of the “Brain Caring People” project supported by the scientific society and the Spanish Association of Occupational Prevention Services (AESPLA). All information on the web https://www.frenoalictus.org/.