Every October 29, World Stroke Day (CVA) is commemorated, a pathology that affects 14 million people a year around the world. These events represent the main cause of disability due to possible consequences. In this sense, health professionals insist on prevention and early consultation at the first symptoms.
Lifestyle and risk factors
Experts from the Argentine Federation of Cardiology (FAC) highlight that making certain changes can affect the frequency of strokes and at the same time benefit the entire cardiovascular system. A balanced diet and physical activity are the basis of prevention. “The so-called Mediterranean diet and DASH are associated with a decrease in vascular risk factors in general. Both, with some differences, are characterized by low consumption of red meat, high consumption of legumes, fruits, vegetables, mono- and polyunsaturated fats present in blue fish such as salmon, anchovies, mackerel, sardines and tuna, and in oils such as olive, canola and soy, in addition to low sodium consumption,” says Dr. Gerardo García Mallea , cardiologist and President of the Peripheral Vascular Disease and Stroke Committee of the FAC.
Meanwhile, physical activity is another very important factor since both the classic indication of 150 minutes of exercise per week and currently periods of 20 minutes of intense physical activity daily have demonstrated a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The FAC also emphasizes the main risk factors to consider. These include smoking, obesity and excessive alcohol intake. But the main one is high blood pressure, associated with both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Another is Atrial Fibrillation (AF) which “leads to a five-fold increase in the risk of stroke, due to the thromboembolic potential,” says García Malea. “In these cases, the evaluation of the risk of cardioembolic stroke is a priority to determine the indication for anticoagulant treatment, also taking into account the risk of bleeding,” she concludes. Finally, there are other very important risk factors, such as myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease, patent foramen ovale, and having had a previous stroke.
Symptoms, when time counts
As is known, stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries blood and oxygen to the brain becomes blocked or ruptures. The first symptoms that appear are paralysis, weakness, language and vision problems. Faced with this situation, FAC experts spread the acronym RAPIDO . which marks a simple and brief check-up so that people can act and seek immediate medical attention, in order to avoid possible consequences.
• A: Fallen face
• A: Alteration in balance
• P: Loss of arm and/or leg strength
• I: Sudden visual impairment
• D: Difficulty speaking
• Or: Get medical help
