Atrial fibrillation thousands of strokes

Every year 10,000 strokes preventable

07/05/2014

According to a new study, up to 10,000 strokes per year could be prevented in Germany through better treatment and prevention. Above all, the atrial fibrillation, which is one of the most important risk factors, is underestimated.

10,000 strokes per year preventable

Together with cancer, cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack or stroke are among the leading causes of death in Germany. But according to a new study, up to 10,000 strokes in Germany could be prevented each year by better treatment and prevention. As the study published by the health insurance company DAK-Gesundheit on Thursday shows, 9,400 strokes alone could be avoided by a more rigorous treatment of atrial fibrillation, a cardiac arrhythmia. And another 500 cases could be prevented by improving the care of people who have already had a near-stroke.

Third most frequent cause of death

Every year around 270,000 people in Germany suffer a stroke. The majority of them are older than 60 years. Strokes, which are the third most frequent cause of death in Germany, are in most cases clogged blood vessels, for example due to calcifications. But even a brain hemorrhage can lead to stroke. People who survive a cerebral infarction are often severely restricted physically. Among other symptoms include movement and speech disorders, paralysis, visual disturbances or a hanging corner of the mouth to the symptoms, which usually affects only one half of the body. Since the first few hours above all can decide about life or death or lasting disability, it is generally the case that help is needed as soon as possible.

Atrial fibrillation can trigger stroke

According to the DAK Report, which was produced by the Berlin IGES Institute, stroke prevention can be significantly improved in 60 percent of patients with atrial fibrillation. This disease is one of the most common cardiac arrhythmias. Symptoms that can occur are shortness of breath, rising heat in the head, palpitations and a feeling of pressure in the chest. Furthermore, an uncontrolled palpitation can occur in the atria. The risk factors for atrial fibrillation include, inter alia, high age, existing heart disease, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, diabetes and overweight or obesity. Atrial fibrillation is only discovered in about one third of those affected. However, only every second patient gets appropriate medication at diagnosis. DAK boss Herbert Rebscher said that thousands of first-time strokes could be avoided if four out of five patients had their atrial fibrillation diagnosed and treated properly.

Better supply of medicines

Thus, even better patient care for patients with near-stroke would avoid many cases. In Germany, approximately 84,000 patients with a first-in-stroke stroke, a so-called transient ischemic attack (TIA), receive hospital treatment each year. Symptoms are the same as cerebral infarction due to occlusion of a blood vessel in the brain, but they regress within 24 hours. Those affected, however, are at particular risk of suffering a true stroke later. According to the report, around 500 strokes per year would be avoidable if around a quarter of patients with near-miss stroke improved their medication.

430 million euros for preventable strokes

Experts assume about 43,000 euros lifelong treatment costs per stroke patient. Accordingly, a total of 430 million euros must be raised for the treatment of around 10,000 preventable strokes. The DAK demands against this background „more room for maneuver“ for the health insurance companies. So far, due to data protection regulations, these could only to a very limited extent address patients 'or doctors' potential supply shortages even though they have diagnostic data. (Ad)