Risk of vascular Stroke it threatens one in four people and has become a major cause of disability. Today nine million people Europe suffered a stroke, and it is estimated that by 2040 this number will increase by 35% and exceed 12 million.

This was pointed out by Hariklia Proiu, Associate Professor at the University of Macedonia, Vice President of the Hellenic Vascular Stroke Alliance (ESAEE) and President of the SAFE-Stroke Alliance for Europe, on the occasion of the SAFE conference to be held on October 6 and 7, 2022 in Thessaloniki.

As part of the conference, 60 representatives of stroke organizations from 35 countries will meet to share their experience and knowledge, as well as discuss strategies to better address the already high number of strokes, which is expected to increase in the coming years as well as improved care. and support.

“Prevention is the future”

“Prevention is the future,” Ms Proyu said, noting that 80% of strokes are preventable, but most people don’t know it, so it’s especially important to be aware of the signs that a person is having a stroke in order to take immediate measures and transfer to a hospital for thrombectomy or thrombolysis and treatment in general. At the same time, he said that prevention is aimed at reducing the percentage of people who will have a stroke.

“Stroke is the number one disability in the world. The disability that he leaves behind is very scary both for a person who has had a stroke and for the whole family, because within half an hour or an hour a person who is capable of work and in society can lose all his functions, speech, the ability to communicate with the world, having paralyzed half of his body and generally having problems for the rest of his life. This is why prevention and immediate action to get him to the hospital is essential. We are trying to inform the world at large about what they can do not only in prevention but also in immediate action, and what they can do in rehabilitation and life after a stroke,” added Ms Proyu.

The conference will present brief data from the Greek region, as well as the latest activities of the scientific societies related to stroke. The event will be welcomed by Professor of Neurology, President of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Athens and General Secretary of the ESAEE Konstantinos Vadikolias, as well as Professor of Neurology at the Hellenic University of Athens, President of the Hellenic Neurological Society. and General Secretary of the Hellenic Society of Vascular Cerebrovascular Diseases Georgios Tsivgulis.

Improved patient support organization

The European Stroke SAFE Alliance is the largest stroke support organization in Europe, with organizations from 35 different countries. This alliance aims to create common strategies for prevention, better communication of stroke symptoms, and an overall improvement in organized treatment and rehabilitation.

In addition to activities throughout Europe, cooperation with ESAEE is considered important in the Greek region as well. Patient support groups have already been organized and many information campaigns are planned. An important step is the National Plan for Vascular Strokes, which was proposed in collaboration with the Neurological Society, the Greek Society for Vascular Strokes and other organizations and is already underway with the aim of establishing special units for vascular strokes in Greek hospitals (Stroke Units), as well as special centers complex treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. The care and support of the stroke patient, the recognition of difficulties, the care and support of him and his family throughout the long period of rehabilitation are the permanent goals of the European Action Plan.

Source: APE/MEB