Stroke: Warning signs, prevention and the key role of the Stroke Code

When brain function stops suddenly, time can determine the difference between recovery and irreversible disability. A sudden drooping mouth, weakness in the limbs, difficulty speaking, trouble understanding or abrupt loss of vision can signal a stroke and requires immediate medical attention.

The article says 85% of strokes result from a clot blocking a brain artery and cutting off oxygen to brain tissue. The remaining 15% involve a brain hemorrhage caused by a ruptured artery.

Despite its impact, up to 90% of strokes can be prevented, according to the report. Major risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, abnormal blood lipid levels, obesity, inactivity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Controlling blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, adopting healthier habits and avoiding tobacco can sharply reduce the risk. Although strokes occur more often among people over 65, they increasingly affect younger people as well.

Early recognition and immediate medical consultation are vital. If a patient receives medication to dissolve a clot within four and a half hours of the symptoms beginning, the article says the patient’s chances of returning to normal activities without lasting effects increase ninefold.

Paraguay’s Ministry of Public Health is implementing a Stroke Code and Tele Stroke system to support a rapid and equitable response. The telemedicine network connects doctors at different health centers with specialist neurologists in real time. Participating hospitals listed in the article include facilities in Luque, Itauguá, Coronel Oviedo, Itapúa, Ciudad del Este, Concepción, Pedro Juan Caballero, Caacupé, Paraguarí and San Juan Bautista in Misiones.