Stroke in Switzerland: facts and figures
- 26,000 people suffer a stroke in Switzerland every year.
- A quarter are under 65 years old.
- Warning signs: sudden paralysis on one side, speech impairment, visual disturbance or severe dizziness. Call 144 immediately - every minute counts!
- Strokes are one of the most common causes of permanent disability and are one of the most frequent causes of death after cardiovascular diseases.
Thanks to modern acute therapies such as thrombectomy and thrombolysis, mortality has been significantly reduced. Prevention remains crucial: recognising and treating risk factors early.
Interview with Prof Mira Katan - progress and research
Prof Mira Katan, MD, neurologist at the University Hospital Basel and President of the Swiss Stroke Society (SHG), gives an insight into her work on the occasion of World Stroke Day. You can find the full interview here (in german).
Extract from the interview:
What progress in diagnosis and treatment do you currently see, and how do your studies contribute to this?
"A lot has happened in recent years - especially in diagnostics and personalised treatment. New blood biomarkers in combination with clinical data and imaging techniques enable us to recognise the cause of a stroke more quickly and accurately.
In our studies, we are investigating how these biomarkers can be used to better assess the individual risk and manage follow-up treatment in a more targeted manner. The goal is true precision medicine, in which every patient receives the best possible therapy for their individual situation."
Together with its partner organisations such as the SHG, the SNS is committed to a STRONG NEUROLOGY in Switzerland.
When speech suddenly disappears - living with aphasia
One possible consequence is aphasia, a disorder of the ability to speak. Although those affected are able to think clearly, their ability to speak is impaired. The left hemisphere of the brain is usually affected, which can lead to right-sided paralysis or impaired sensation.
Podcast recommendation:
In its podcast series "Understanding aphasia - from different perspectives", the SNS sheds light on the topic from a medical and therapeutic perspective as well as from the perspective of those affected and their relatives. In it, Urs-Peter Michel, who suffered a stroke in 2019, reports:
"I couldn't call anyone. I felt that something was wrong, but nothing worked." His wife Verena adds: "Patience, time and support are crucial - don't give up, just keep going."
Prof. Dr Susanne Wegener (SNS Board Member and Head of Neurology at the University Hospital Zurich) emphasises: "The patients are fully conscious, their thinking is clear, but their speech is failing. Every minute counts - we have to keep an eye on both physical and speech rehabilitation."
Speech therapy and nursing must also work closely together to offer patients creative communication channels and individualised support.
Raising awareness of a disease that changes language and life
The SNS invites you to encourage, promote understanding and provide targeted support for people with aphasia.
You can find the full press release here (in german).