The result of the study, which was conducted for the “Competence Network Stroke” at the Berlin Charité, could hardly be less alarming: One in three people in the Federal Republic does not know a single risk factor for stroke. This is despite the fact that stroke is the third leading cause of death and the most common cause of acquired disability in adulthood in Germany.
Not just in the elderly
More than 150,000 people a year suffer a first stroke, and about 40% die from it within a year. Almost two-thirds of all stroke patients are subsequently disabled and dependent on outside help. Strokes are the result of acute circulatory disorders of the brain. As a result, the nerve cells in the brain receive too little oxygen and nutrients and die. A stroke is also called apoplexy, cerebral insult or cerebral infarction. The consequences of a stroke for the individual patient depend on which part of the brain is affected and how severe the circulatory disorder is. Speech disorders, paralysis or blindness often occur. In principle, anyone can suffer a stroke, even children. However, the risk increases with age. According to the “Stroke Competence Network”, every second person affected is of working age, and an estimated 5% of them are even younger than 40.
Emergency stroke
A stroke is always an emergency and reason for immediate medical intervention! Although the symptoms of a stroke vary and are often not taken seriously – nevertheless, if a stroke is suspected, the emergency physician must be called immediately and the patient must go to a hospital. Because the brain has no pain receptors, stroke symptoms – unlike pain in a heart attack, for example – are often not associated with the acutely life-threatening disease. Urgent suspicion of stroke exists with these symptoms:
- Sudden asymmetry of the face (one side “hangs”).
- Paralysis of an arm or leg of one side of the body
- Furry or numb feeling of an arm, a leg or even a whole side of the body
- Speech disorders and loss of speech
- Acute onset of visual impairment, limitation of the visual field
- Acute blindness
- Unexplained dizziness (especially together with other neurological symptoms).
- Sudden falls
- Sudden sluggish gait
- Acute onset of disorientation.
If symptoms of a stroke occur, medical attention is absolutely necessary. Only the doctor can determine whether another disease such as.
- Epileptic seizure,
- Fainting,
- Migraine or
- A cardiological problem
Is the cause of the symptoms. And only prompt medical treatment of these symptoms can prevent severe disability or the fatal outcome of a stroke.
Different strokes
The causes of stroke can vary. Basically, a distinction is made between an ischemic stroke and a hemorrhagic stroke. In all cases, however, the blood supply to the brain is interrupted and the affected tissue perishes.
- When there is insufficient blood flow to the brain (ischemia), the blood supply is cut off because a blood vessel leading to the brain suddenly becomes blocked. This is the most common cause of stroke. Such a vessel blockage can result from thrombosis, or a blood clot. In this case, the blood clot usually forms in vessels that are already damaged by calcification and fat deposits.
- An embolism can also trigger a reduced blood flow. In this case, blood clots that have formed elsewhere in the vessels, detach and arrive with the bloodstream Starting point are blood clots that have formed in the heart or in the large vessels leading to the brain, such as the carotid artery. From such a blood clot parts can detach, which reach the brain through the bloodstream and close an important blood vessel there.
- A hemorraghic stroke occurs when the brain is flooded with blood due to a hemorrhage, for example, after the sudden rupture of a blood vessel. Such hemorrhage (bleeding) is the cause of stroke in about 15% of cases.
Stroke with warning
In about 10% of all strokes, those affected receive a “heads-up”: there is a transient disturbance of blood flow to the brain, called a transient ischemic attack (TIA). The symptoms are the same as those of a stroke, but they pass quickly because the vessel is quickly reopened. This transient blood flow disturbance may occur hours, days or weeks before the actual stroke. Such a transient ischemic attack is a warning sign that should never be ignored. People who have suffered a transient circulatory disturbance of the brain are ten times more likely to suffer a complete stroke than people of the same age and sex without a TIA.
Know risk factors
Some risk factors, such as increasing age or a genetic predisposition, cannot be influenced. However, the majority of other risk factors can. These include:
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Lipid metabolism disorders
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
- Diabetes
- Cardiac arrhythmia
Regular blood pressure checks are quite easy to do, as are checks of blood lipid levels and sugar levels. People with heart disease have a higher risk of suffering a stroke and are therefore usually examined by their doctor accordingly. Prevention is still the surest and best protection against stroke. Reduction of risk factors can be achieved by the simple means that now apply to almost all major common diseases:
- Plenty of fruit, vegetables, low-fat and low-sugar diet.
- Regular exercise and sports
- At least 2 liters of water or unsweetened tea per day
- Smoking cessation
- Avoidance of stress
- Weight loss
A consequence of the Berlin study should now be that future educational campaigns should take greater account of the increased need for information, especially among at-risk groups. In addition, according to the findings of the Berlin researchers, a wide variety of media must be used in the campaigns. Especially the education by general practitioners and the information material in the practices should be further strengthened for non-risk groups.
