Stroke patients seek help too late

The symptoms of a stroke are often recognized too late by those affected, which can have fatal consequences for further treatment. For example, "around 10,000 people with a severe stroke can be saved annually from obstruction and death in Germany if stroke experts remove the blocking blood clot in the brain early with a special catheter", reports the German Stroke Society on the occasion of the day against the stroke on 10. May.

The first hours after the onset of a stroke are particularly important for successful treatment. However, the symptoms such as speech disorders, dizziness or numbness are often not associated with a stroke, especially as long as headache as the main symptom, reports the news agency "dpa", citing the neurologist Professor Darius Nabavi, Chairman of the Stroke Unit Commission of the Germans Stroke Society (DSG). "Only ten percent of the patients come to the clinic within an hour," says Nabavi to the "dpa".

Specialist stations ensure good care of stroke patients
Although a good third of the patients are hospitalized within three hours, "this proportion has remained virtually unchanged for years," cited the "dpa" the DSG chairman. As soon as the emergency number 112 was dialed, the supply in Germany was functioning almost perfectly, reports the expert. For the treatment of those affected in many clinics so-called stroke units are now available as special wards. The doctors distinguish strokes depending on the cause in the so-called "cerebral infarction", in which a lack of blood flow (ischemia) in the brain is present (for example due to a vascular occlusion) and the "cerebral hemorrhage" in which a leakage of blood in the brain causes the stroke, so the "dpa".

Hesitation can have fatal consequences
To achieve a successful treatment, the first hours after the stroke are crucial, but here, according to the experts, too much time passes in the majority of patients until a doctor is called in. A combination of lack of self-awareness, ignorance and shame often put those affected and their relatives to wait and see. In addition, some sufferers would not go to the clinic against better knowledge, so the message of the "dpa". At worst, this behavior has deadly consequences. According to information from the German Stroke Assistance, the stroke patients usually receive a fast and targeted treatment, which is reflected in the declining mortality rates.

Deficiencies in the aftercare of stroke patients
Deficits exist, according to Professor Matthias Endres, Director of the Department of Neurology and the Center for Stroke Research of the Charité, but also in the follow-up of stroke patients. "We lose many patients - for example, if they develop depression or have coordination and language disorders, but not perceive existing offers," said Prof. Endres, compared to the "dpa". In addition, in patients with hypertension or atrial fibrillation, the risk of a recurrent stroke if left untreated. Here, a preventive medication can remedy the situation, but studies would point out that the medication such as blood thinners are not regularly taken by the patients on a regular basis. Because unlike painkillers, for example, there is no "reward effect" after taking the tablets.

Stroke pilots accompany the victims
To help stroke patients and relatives "maintain a high quality of life in the long term following the sudden illness, often with severe disabilities," so-called stroke pilots are also deployed, accompanying patients for one year after the event, reports the German Stroke Assistance. The pilots "advise, coordinate treatments, support in social questions and make sure that recommendations for therapy are adhered to," continues the German stroke aid. However, according to Professor Nabavi, there are currently too few stroke pilots to reach all those affected. The pilots would agree with the patients, for example, that they regularly go to the doctor or independently monitor their blood pressure, which, depending on social status, education and environment is not self-evident, the expert told the "dpa". According to figures from the German Stroke Aid Foundation, nearly 270,000 people a year are affected by a stroke. The average age of those affected is well over 70 years, but under 30 year olds are increasingly affected, Nabavi is quoted by the "dpa". (Fp)