Luxembourg strengthens information and prevention on stroke
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For World Stroke Day, which is celebrated annually on 29 October, the Luxembourg Ministry of Health, together with the Blëtz ASBL association, is launching a campaign to raise awareness of stroke signs and prevention measures. The reason is more than serious: every day, four people in the country suffer a stroke, and among them, people under the age of 65 are increasingly common.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain stops - due to a blood clot or ruptured vessel. This causes instant damage to brain tissue, and therefore reaction time is critical. The main symptoms are:
- sudden facial asymmetry;
- the inability to raise his arm;
- difficulty or slurred speech;
- dizziness, confusion, weakness on one side of the body.
There is an English abbreviation for FAST, which helps to recognise danger quickly:
- F - Face: is the face skewed?
- A - Arm: one arm can't be raised?
- S - Speech: speech problems?
- T - Time: Time is the deciding factor. Call 112 immediately.
Prevention remains the key way to reduce risk. Doctors remind us of the basic steps: blood pressure control, smoking cessation, moderate diet with salt and alcohol restriction, physical activity, stress management and quality sleep. These are all part of a strategy that can actually save your health and sometimes your life.
The Blëtz Association, which supports stroke patients, is organising a series of practical activities in cooperation with government agencies. Against the background of the growing number of cases and the increasingly young age of the patients, the campaign emphasises the importance of reacting quickly and preparing in advance.
