Facts: The emergency test
Common symptoms of a stroke are sudden paralysis and loss of sensation on one side of the body, speech difficulties and loss of field of vision.
Dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting are other symptoms.
Almost half of those affected have difficulty swallowing in the acute stage.
Here are common signs that someone has had a stroke. The test is called the Akut test:
Face: Ask the person to smile. If the corner of the mouth hangs, call 112.
Body: Raise your arms for ten seconds. If an arm falls, call 112.
Pronunciation: If the person speaks slurred or cannot find the right words, call 112.
Time: Every second is vital. Don’t wait, call 112.
Source: The Heart-Lung Foundation
The number of stroke cases in Sweden has decreased significantly over several years. For the oldest, the curve points straight down.
— The positive development is due to progress in research with scientifically based lifestyle advice and new drug treatments for high blood pressure, high blood fats and atrial fibrillation, says Kristina Sparreljung, secretary general of the Heart-Lung Foundation.
But the reduction only applies to the older age groups. In the age group 15–29 years, it is the opposite. Strokes increase significantly there.
— The risk of stroke increased by 40 percent in the age group 15–29 years during the period 2006–2020, says Kristina Sparreljung.
Same trend
The increase does not only apply to Sweden: The same trend can also be seen in the United States, where so-called ischemic stroke caused by a blood clot has become increasingly common in people under 45 years of age.
— It is worrying, says Christian Blomstrand, professor emeritus of neurology at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg.
He believes that the increase is most evident among people up to the age of 30 – and this applies throughout the Western world.
“When it comes to people between 40 and 50 years old in Sweden, the increase is not as clear,” says Christian Blomstrand.
Stress and being sedentary
Obesity, stress, mental illness and unhealthy lifestyles in general are often pointed out as reasons for the increase in strokes. When it comes to stress, research shows that people who experience high levels of stress have a 30 percent higher risk of stroke.
— Increased sedentary time in a digital world is probably a significant risk factor. Socio-economic factors also influence, says Christian Blomstrand.
When it comes to stroke in younger people, the disease picture is often more complicated.
— There are usually many more factors involved when a young person is affected. It could be, for example, malformed vessels that break or changes in the clotting ability of the blood that contribute to being affected, says Christian Blomstrand.
But the upside is that there are actually healthy factors. Christian Blomstrand tells us that 90 percent of the risk factors are related to lifestyle and can be prevented. Regardless of age, physical activity is a good way to protect yourself against stroke. It lowers blood pressure, counteracts obesity and prevents mental illness. Not smoking or drinking alcohol and eating healthy and not too salty food also protects.