The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and its newly created Council on Stroke says World Stroke Day should be a wake-up call for people everywhere. Each year 6.5 million people die from stroke and another 10 million are permanently disabled.

“The real tragedy is that most of these cases are preventable,” said Professor Petr Widimsky, chairman of the ESC Council on Stroke. “People need to check their blood pressure levels, and if they’re high, to get them lower with diet and exercise or medication. Doctors have a variety of safe and effective treatments. But it all starts by knowing your levels.”
Studies show that only 50% of people get their blood pressure checked each year and only 30% maintain a healthy level of 140/90 or less.
The European Society of Cardiology is the preeminent science organization advancing all aspects of cardiovascular medicine. Professor Lina Badimon, ESC Vice President for Scientific Affairs, said the new Council on Stroke should make a meaningful contribution in the fight against this disease.
“By working together with other experts -neurologists, vascular surgeons, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, epidemiologists and others – the ESC Council on Stroke aims at improving stroke awareness and prevention,” said Prof. Badimon. “The Council is also working to optimise strategies for the acute management of stroke, mapping the current situation in Europe and launching a Pan-European initiative in the field of acute stroke.”

Source: European Society of Cardiology (ESC)