Stroke: A Major Health Threat and Prevention Strategies

Stroke, commonly known as "apoplexy" or "中风 (zhòng fēng) in Chinese, is an acute cerebrovascular disease. It stands as the leading cause of death and disability among adults in China. Each year, approximately 3.3 million new cases are reported, and the risk of stroke in adults is close to 40%.

Remember the "Stroke 120" Mnemonic

Remembering the "Stroke 120" mnemonic is crucial for early identification.

• "1" represents "observing one asymmetrical face";
• "2" stands for "checking if there is unilateral weakness in both arms";
• "0" means "listening to whether the speech is clear".

If you or someone else suddenly experiences any of the above symptoms, it could be a stroke. In such a case, immediately call the emergency number 120. It is advisable not to drive yourself or have family members take you to the hospital. Ambulances can provide pre-hospital emergency care and transport the patient directly to the nearest hospital with stroke treatment capabilities. The main treatment methods include intravenous thrombolysis and arterial thrombectomy. Intravenous thrombolysis is usually carried out within 4.5 hours of stroke onset and is currently the most widely used acute-phase therapy.

Experts remind that the earlier the treatment after a stroke occurs, the less brain damage there will be, and the greater the hope for recovery. Stroke can lead to sequelae such as hemiplegia, aphasia, dysphagia, and cognitive impairment. The optimal time for rehabilitation treatment is within three months after stroke onset. Stroke patients should initiate rehabilitation treatment as early as possible when their vital signs are stable and their condition shows no progression.

Rising Incidence of Stroke Among Young People

Many people believe that stroke is a disease of the elderly. However, in recent years, there have been frequent cases of young people suffering from strokes. Why do young people get strokes at such a young age?

Medically, a stroke occurring in individuals aged between 18 and 45 is referred to as youth stroke. In recent years, its incidence has shown a significant upward trend. Globally, the incidence of youth ischemic stroke has increased by 40% over the past decade. According to the data from the China Stroke Prevention Report (2023), there are currently 12.42 million stroke patients aged 40 and above in China.

He Xiaonan, the Deputy Director of the Emergency and Critical Care Center at Beijing Anzhen Hospital, explained that不良的生活习惯 (unhealthy lifestyle habits) such as sedentary behavior, obesity, excessive stress, staying up late, and smoking are the causes of stroke in young people. Experts offer the following reminders:

• Young people should avoid staying up late, being sedentary, consuming high-oil and high-sugar diets, and should quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption to prevent premature aging of blood vessels.
• Manage underlying diseases: Regularly undergo physical examinations to screen for hidden risks such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes.
• Be vigilant about诱发因素 (predisposing factors) such as congenital cerebrovascular malformations and migraine with aura.
• Additionally, long-term use of birth control pills by women or long-term smoking can increase the incidence of stroke.

Common Misconceptions in Stroke Emergency Care

• "It will get better with rest": Ignoring mild symptoms and missing the 4.5-hour "golden treatment window" for intravenous thrombolysis and the 6-hour window for arterial thrombectomy.
• "Taking medication before seeking medical help": Stroke is classified into ischemic and hemorrhagic types, and blindly taking antihypertensive or anticoagulant drugs is not advisable.
• "Enduring dizziness": Delaying treatment can lead to continuous death of brain cells, increasing the risk of disability and death.

How to Prevent Stroke in Winter

• Keep warm: Adjust your clothing according to the temperature when going out, adopting the "onion-style" dressing method. Pay special attention to keeping your head warm by wearing scarves, hats, and gloves to avoid a sudden rise in blood pressure.
• Maintain a healthy diet and avoid smoking and alcohol: Increase your intake of foods rich in fiber and vitamins, and reduce your consumption of high-sugar, high-salt, high-fat, and processed foods. Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption promptly to cultivate a healthy lifestyle.
• Engage in regular physical activity: It is recommended to participate in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of high-intensity aerobic exercise per week to promote blood circulation and reduce the risk of thrombus formation, thereby effectively preventing stroke.
• Maintain regular sleep patterns: Ensuring 7-9 hours of adequate sleep each night aids in physical recovery, regulates endocrine balance, reduces the secretion of stress hormones, and contributes to maintaining cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health.
• Take medications as prescribed: For patients with chronic diseases already diagnosed, take medications as prescribed to keep blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids under control. (Liaoxin News Agency)