Between September 1st and 20th of this year, 4,236 Brazilians died from a stroke (cerebral vascular accident), equivalent to 211 deaths daily. The number of stroke victims exceeds the number of deaths recorded in the same period from a heart attack (4045) and Covid-19 (503).

The number of stroke victims exceeds the number of deaths recorded in the same period from heart attacks (4045) and COVID-19 (503) – Photo: Baia Sul Hospital / Reproduction ND

Stroke is used to describe a stroke, which can be of two types: hemorrhagic and ischemic. Who explains this is the neurosurgeon of Baia Sul Hospital, Dr. Jorge Moritz.

The disease affects about 16 million people a year worldwide and is the second leading cause of death in Brazil, claiming about 100,000 lives each year. In 2022, 80,149 people died from the disease. In 2019, there were 74,833 cases from January to September, and 78,109 deaths in 2021.

“Usually, a stroke is sudden and the most common symptoms are motor deficits, difficulty moving one side of the body, such as an arm and leg, tingling on one side of the body, facial asymmetry, impaired speech. , namely difficulties with the formulation of sentences and dialogue, sudden headache and dizziness, vision problems, among other things, ”warns the doctor. Jorge Moritz.

According to the neurosurgeon, hemorrhagic stroke is less common and occurs in about 15% of cases, as a rule, in patients who already have problems associated with high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, it is easier to rupture a vein or artery, which causes hemorrhage in brain.

In the case of an ischemic stroke, it is a circulatory disorder in a certain area of ​​the brain and has more or less the same risk factors. In addition, according to the doctor, there are patients in whom a family history is a risk factor.

Excessive alcohol consumption and the use of illegal drugs that activate cardiovascular function can cause both types of stroke.

Stroke care should be taken as early as possible to prevent the death of brain tissue. “For example, at Baia Sul Hospital, we have a multidisciplinary team that offers fast service. After treatment, patients are observed for up to five years by the hospital team, which monitors development and recovery, ”comments the neurosurgeon.

Can a stroke be prevented?

Risk factors such as family history, gender, and age are more difficult to treat because they are considered non-modifiable causes of stroke. But, the doctor says, the patient can be careful about modifiable risk factors: treating high blood pressure, diabetes, heart arrhythmia and high cholesterol through exercise and a healthy diet. It is also important to avoid excessive drinking and smoking.

Is age a risk factor?

What happens is that the disease usually affects older people because they are more likely to develop high blood pressure and sometimes diabetes, but that doesn’t mean stroke doesn’t happen in younger people.

October World Campaign

October 29 is World Stroke Day. For a month, the WSO and Rede Brasil AVC are running a campaign to fight the disease and raise awareness of operational assistance with the theme “Time is precious”.

“CVA has highly effective prevention and treatment, but there is a huge failure to put into practice what is known in theory and proven in clinical studies. The implementation of stroke programs is extremely relevant, in addition to the constant reinforcement of information on prevention and, in case of occurrence, detection and assistance in the shortest possible time, ”says a neurologist doctor. Sheila Cristina Oriques Martins, President of Brasil AVC Network.

The campaign will be even more active from 22 to 29 October, during Stroke Week, with a series of materials that can be checked on the Rede Brasil AVC website.