Mexico Urges Early Stroke Response, Prevention

Marking World Stroke Day on Oct. 29, Mexico’s Ministry of Health urged the population to adopt healthier lifestyles to reduce the risk of stroke, one of the country’s leading causes of death and disability.

“Recognizing the signs and acting quickly can make the difference between full recovery and permanent disability,” says Claudia Alfaro, Head, Neurology Service at the Hospital General de México “Dr. Eduardo Liceaga” (HGMEL).

In 2021, strokes or cerebrovascular diseases were responsible for more than 37,000 deaths in Mexico, reports the Mexican Government. A stroke, or cerebrovascular disease, occurs when a brain artery becomes blocked, interrupting blood flow and causing brain tissue damage, explains Alfaro. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing symptoms and seeking immediate medical attention, as timely care can prevent severe consequences or even save lives. This is relevant as 66% of stroke patients in Mexico reach the hospital more than six hours after symptom onset, significantly lowering their chances of receiving effective reperfusion therapy

Among the key warning signs are sudden facial numbness or drooping, weakness in an arm or leg, speech difficulties, dizziness, and double vision. If a patient experiences any of these symptoms, there is more than a 70% chance that they are having a stroke. “If these symptoms appear suddenly, the patient must go to the hospital immediately. If they arrive within four and a half hours, they can receive a treatment that dissolves the clot and restores blood flow, allowing for full recovery in many cases,” says Alfaro.

To prevent cerebrovascular disease, it is necessary to maintain healthy habits, including having a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco use, limiting alcohol consumption, and controlling conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. While some risk factors like age and sex cannot be changed, Alfaro says that lifestyle choices play a crucial role in reducing stroke risk.

Each year, HGMEL treats between 150 and 160 stroke emergencies, with about 30% of patients meeting the medical criteria for thrombolytic therapy, a treatment that dissolves clots and restores cerebral blood flow.