"Stroke prevention" is the theme of today's "Wednesdays with Prevention". - a cyclical educational action of the National Health Fund.
We would like to draw your attention to key aspects of stroke in Poland. According to NFZ data, stroke is the second most common cause of death after heart disease. It is also the leading cause of disability in adults.
In 2022, 73,900 cases of ischaemic stroke were registered, of which 8.1% are recurrences.
Ischaemic stroke. What the NFZ data say
We present to you the latest results of the National Health Fund report on ischaemic stroke in Poland for 2022. 29 October is World Brain Stroke Day. On this occasion, the National Health Fund once again presented a very valuable report NHF on health. Ischaemic stroke showing key information on:
- Epidemiology of ischaemic stroke in Poland.
The NFZ report presents detailed data on incidence in individual provinces. The highest incidence was recorded in the Śląskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodeships, while the lowest was in the Podlaskie and Mazowieckie voivodeships.
- Access to treatment in the acute phase of the disease.
The report presents an analysis of accessibility to causal treatment in Poland and presents maps to help assess accessibility to stroke care in different regions of the country.
- Access to neurological rehabilitation and mortality up to one year after the disease.
According to the Report, the incidence of ischaemic stroke will decrease by 1.2/10,000 of the population in 2022 compared to 2017, while the authors of the Report indicated an increase in the incidence of ischaemic stroke in younger age groups over the past six years.
Time is life
- Cight arm or leg
- Zspeech abnormalities
- Afacial symmetry
- Sweak vision
Prompt recognition of stroke symptoms and admission to a hospital with a stroke unit determines the possibility of implementing treatment.
Polish data showed that thrombolytic treatment reduces the risk of death by 26% and mechanical thrombectomy treatment by 17%.
Stroke prevention
The most common causes of stroke are atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart disease, stress, smoking, alcohol abuse, poor diet and increased body weight, and lack of or low physical activity.
As part of today's 'Prevention Wednesday', we are reminded of the symptoms of stroke, methods to protect our brains from stroke and how simple habits can help reduce the risk of this serious condition.
Choose DASH Hypertension
One of the risk factors for stroke is hypertension. An excellent way to have normal blood pressure is to eat according to the principles of the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). This is a diet with proven health-promoting properties. The National Health Fund uses its principles as a reference in the proposed NFZ diets nutrition plans. Recommended.