The president of the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN), Dr. Jesus Porta-Etessam, announced on Monday that approximately 90% of strokes could be prevented through brain-healthy lifestyle habits and the management of modifiable risk factors. He emphasized that reducing the incidence of strokes is within everyone”s control. “About 90% of strokes can be avoided by adopting brain-healthy habits and managing modifiable risk factors,” he stated during an event organized by the SEN and the Foundation Stop Stroke, in collaboration with the SEN”s Study Group on Cerebrovascular Diseases (GEECV-SEN) and the Gmp Foundation.
Dr. Porta-Etessam warned that if current trends continue, up to 25% of Spaniards may experience a stroke in their lifetime, underscoring the need for early prevention and health education. The event coincided with World Stroke Day, which is observed on Wednesday. Dr. Maria del Mar Freijo Guerrero, a neurologist at the Cruces University Hospital in Bilbao and coordinator of the GEECV-SEN, highlighted the significant social impact of strokes in Spain. “They result in nearly 120,000 new cases each year and are the leading cause of death among women, as well as the primary cause of acquired disability in adults,” she explained. While mortality rates have decreased over the past two decades due to therapeutic advancements such as thrombolysis and thrombectomy, the number of people living with chronic disabilities continues to rise due to an aging population and increased survival rates following strokes.
Looking ahead, projections indicate that stroke incidence may increase by 81% and prevalence by 71% by 2050, particularly affecting women over 80 and men aged 70 to 79. “Factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and physical inactivity remain critical: controlling blood pressure and cholesterol could reduce stroke incidence by up to 47% and 20%, respectively,” she noted. Dr. Freijo stressed that prevention, adherence to treatment, and technological innovation will be essential in reversing this trend and enhancing patients” quality of life.
The neurologist also emphasized the importance of addressing life after a stroke, advocating for enhanced rehabilitation, social support, and therapeutic adherence as vital components in reducing disabilities and preventing recurrences. Coordinated follow-up care among primary care physicians, neurologists, and nursing staff is crucial to ensure that patients understand and maintain their long-term care, while innovations in robotics and technology can provide more personalized rehabilitation and continuous support for patients and their families.
Purificacion Enguix Bou, a nursing care leader in neurology at the La Fe Hospital in Valencia and a member of the GENSEDENE group of the SEN, discussed the essential role of nurses in early stroke detection and ongoing care for survivors. “Nursing care directly impacts the recovery of stroke patients, reducing sequelae and mortality. Trained nursing staff in cerebrovascular diseases are the main asset in stroke units. Detecting and preventing complications in the subacute phase is a nursing responsibility: we accompany, ensure, and educate patients and their families, identifying needs and transforming them into solutions,” Enguix stated.
Experts also highlighted the need for strengthened continuity of care, increased psychosocial support for patients and caregivers, and the promotion of a more inclusive and empathetic society towards the invisible sequelae of strokes. Claudia Trujillo, a social worker and project manager for inclusion at the Foundation Stop Stroke, emphasized the importance of connecting the healthcare and social systems to ensure quality continuity of care that addresses patients” needs at any stage of their illness.
Dr. Patricia Simal, a neurologist at the Clinical University Hospital of San Carlos in Madrid and scientific coordinator of the National Health System”s Stroke Strategy, discussed the importance of learning from patients” experiences. “Stroke is a disease that can affect anyone, and behind each case is a life story, not just a diagnosis. As professionals, we have much to offer but also much to learn from those who have lived through it. These dialogue spaces underscore the necessity of building a more coordinated, comprehensive, and humane care approach,” she added.
The event also featured Julio Agredano Lozano, president of the Foundation Stop Stroke, who emphasized the need to “join forces” among professionals, patients, families, and institutions to provide a “real response” to the effects of strokes. He reiterated that addressing strokes and their aftermath requires a comprehensive approach involving neurologists, rehabilitation physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and neuropsychologists, as well as pharmacological treatments, assistive technology, and surgery when necessary.
Yolanda Torosio, a dancer, actress, and stroke survivor, shared her experience living with stroke sequelae, highlighting the transformative role of art and dance in her rehabilitation process. “I learned that the universe amplifies what you focus on, so I chose to look at what I have rather than what I lack. The most valuable things are often the simplest. Gratitude transforms and helps you live more authentically. Even from the most bitter lemon, you can make the best lemonade. I stopped identifying with what I thought I was to tenderly embrace that little girl who dreamed of dancing and to keep believing in everything that is still to come,” Torosio expressed.
