One of every 6 people will have a stroke in her life.

-From the Neurology unit of USP Marbella insists that nearly 30% of the cases would be avoided if people knew to recognize the alerts ”

Marbella, November 2011- last Saturday was held the world stroke day and the figures tell us that the mortality rate in the next six months to a stroke or brain attack nears 35 per cent and a similar proportion are sequels. 30% Of patients suffering an acute stroke survive and can fend for themselves. Stroke figures are ugly, but precisely for this reason we must disseminate them. If the population receives information and above all learn to recognize what symptoms tell us of the risk of suffering a stroke, these numbers might change. ”, so has expressed it on Friday the Manius Dr. von Maravic, head of the Neurology unit of USP Marbella

El Dr. Von Maravic has insisted on the importance of recognizing and reacting quickly to an attack transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke, whose symptoms can disappear even in minutes and that is not the importance of ”. A TIA can manifest itself, according to precise the USP Marbella Neurology Chief, by the following ítem:

-loss of strength in an arm or a leg

-facial paralysis

-aphasia or inability to temporary to understand the language or communicate correctly

-loss of sensation in a body part

-acute Vertigo with double vision or acute imbalance

-Péloss of vision in one eye for a few minutes ….

If there are symptoms, regardless of that disappear in a few minutes or a few hours, the patient has to call an ambulance and go to the emergency room as soon as possible. A specialist must assess him to detect the AIT, establish the causes and start with a preventive program quickly, ” explains the Dr. Von Maravic.

(Not temporary) acute stroke occurs in 85% of cases by the acute blockage of an artery that leaves a part of the brain without irrigation. For treatment, every minute is gold. If it does not intervene in the first six hours, neurologist can do is try to improve vital functions of the patient and to establish a programme of rehabilitation, ” points the Dr. Von Maravic, which in 2005 made first Thrombolysis in acute stroke in the province of Malaga.

Risk factors and prevention

For the prevention of stroke, it is necessary to take into account the risk factors. The only factor of risk about which we do not have the possibility to intervene is the age (stroke is more frequent in patients over 60 years), but the rest of the risk factors can be controlled ”, adds the neurologist. The main would be as follows:

-hypertension

-heart disease

-tobacco

-sedentary lifestyle

-fat diet

-unhealthy life habits

not smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, follow a healthy diet and exercise not only contribute to the prevention of stroke but that help reduce the risk of many other diseases ”, concludes Dr. Von Maravic.

About USP hospital

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Madrid, USP hospital is the first hospital private group in the Spanish market. Currently, USP hospital boasts a network of 12 hospitals, 20 health centres and 4,000 doctors annually serving more than two million patients. In 2010 the company recorded 331.494 clinical stays, 118.931 surgery, 11.202 births and 424.511 er.