Dont BeThe One: "1 in 4 people will have a stroke in their lifetime, don't be that person."
This is the message with which, on the occasion of the world day dedicated to stroke on 29 October, the World Stroke Organization puts the spotlight on prevention, underlining that as many as 80% of all strokes can be avoided, starting from the identification of the factors risk.
Some, such as sex, age and familiarity, cannot be changed, but most are as explained by Alice Italia Onlus, from which simple indications come: to change your lifestyle, treating some pathologies that can cause stroke.
Monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and heart disease (especially atrial fibrillation which causes 20% of strokes)
do not smoke, do not consume alcohol in excess.
Then, do moderate and constant physical activity (walking, climbing stairs, dancing, cycling), follow a healthy diet by reducing salt, monitor weight.
Those who have already had a stroke should instead have checkups at least twice a year.
If suddenly you are unable to move or have less force in one arm, one leg or both limbs on the same side of your body, you have a crooked mouth, you cannot see half or part of objects well, you are not able to coordinate movements or stay in balance, do not understand language or do not articulate words well, or are struck by a violent and very localized headache, different from usual, it is necessary to immediately call 112 or 118 .
Just one of these symptoms is enough and in the case of a suspected stroke, you are able to activate a protocol that quickly directs you to the most suitable hospital: it is essential to be hospitalized in the Neurovascular Units (Stroke Centers or Stroke Units).
In our country, cerebral stroke represents the third cause of death, after cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms.
Of the approximately 150,000 Italians who are affected every year, half remain with disabilities of varying degrees;
currently there are about 1 million survivors with more or less disabling stroke outcomes.
