During a recent event organized by the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN) and the Foundation to Stop Stroke, President Jesus Porta-Etessam emphasized that up to 90% of strokes could be avoided through brain-healthy lifestyle habits and the management of modifiable risk factors. He stated that reducing the incidence of strokes is “in the hands of everyone,” highlighting the urgency of preventive measures.
Porta-Etessam pointed out that if current trends continue, as many as 25% of Spaniards may suffer a stroke in their lifetime. He stressed the critical need for health education and prevention efforts starting from a young age. The event coincided with the upcoming World Stroke Day, which is commemorated on Wednesday.
At the same event, Maria del Mar Freijo Guerrero, a neurologist at the University Hospital of Cruces in Bilbao and coordinator of SEN”s Cerebrovascular Diseases Study Group, discussed the significant social impact of strokes in Spain. She revealed that approximately 120,000 new stroke cases occur each year, making it the leading cause of death among women and the primary cause of acquired disability in adults. Despite a decrease in mortality rates over the past two decades due to therapeutic advancements like thrombolysis and thrombectomy, the number of individuals living with chronic disabilities continues to rise, largely due to an aging population and improved survival rates after stroke.
Freijo Guerrero also noted alarming predictions indicating an 81% increase in stroke incidence and a 71% rise in prevalence by 2050, particularly affecting women over 80 and men aged 70 to 79. She identified hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and sedentary lifestyles as critical determinants, stating that managing blood pressure and cholesterol could potentially reduce stroke incidence by up to 47% and 20%, respectively. She emphasized that prevention, adherence to treatment, and technological innovation will be vital in reversing these trends and enhancing patients” quality of life.
Additionally, Freijo Guerrero highlighted the importance of rehabilitation post-stroke, urging for reinforced rehabilitation support and healthcare adherence as essential pillars for minimizing disability and preventing recurrences. Coordinated follow-up among primary care providers, neurologists, and nursing staff is crucial for ensuring that patients understand and maintain long-term care, while innovation and robotics are expected to facilitate more personalized rehabilitation and continuous support for patients and their families.
Purificacion Enguix Bou, a nursing care specialist at Hospital La Fe in Valencia and a member of the Spanish Society of Neurological Nursing, discussed the vital role of nurses in early stroke detection and ongoing care for survivors. She asserted that nursing care has a direct impact on the outcomes of stroke patients, effectively reducing complications and mortality. Trained nursing staff in cerebrovascular diseases are invaluable in stroke units, tasked with detecting and preventing complications during the subacute phase, as well as educating patients and their families about needs and solutions.
Experts at the event underscored the necessity for enhanced continuity of care, greater psychosocial support for patients and caregivers, and the promotion of a more inclusive society to address the invisible consequences of stroke. Claudia Trujillo, a social worker and project lead at the Foundation to Stop Stroke, emphasized the importance of integrating healthcare and social systems to ensure high-quality continuity of care that addresses patients” needs at any stage of the disease.
Patricia Simal, a neurologist at the University Clinical Hospital of San Carlos in Madrid and scientific coordinator of the National Health System Stroke Strategy, spoke about the importance of learning from patients” experiences. She noted that stroke can affect anyone, and behind each case lies a personal story, not just a diagnosis. Simal expressed the need for dialogue between professionals and patients to build a more coordinated, comprehensive, and humane approach to care.
The event also featured Julio Agredano Lozano, president of the Foundation to Stop Stroke, who highlighted the importance of collaboration among professionals, patients, families, and institutions to provide a “real response” to the aftermath of stroke. He reiterated that addressing strokes and their consequences requires an integrative approach involving neurologists, rehabilitation physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and neuropsychologists, along with necessary pharmaceutical treatments, supportive technology, and surgical interventions when required.
Lastly, Yolanda Torosio, a dancer, actress, and stroke survivor, shared her personal journey with post-stroke challenges. She discussed the role of art and dance in her rehabilitation process, emphasizing the importance of focusing on what one has rather than what is lost. Torosio conveyed that gratitude transforms one”s perception of life and allows for the creation of positivity, even from the most difficult experiences.
