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Samuel Sauneuf
Published on
Dec 28 2024 at 8:10 a.m.
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In France, every four minutes, someone suffers a stroke. In Saint-Malo (Ille-et-Vilaine), where 800 people are hospitalized each year for the treatment of a stroke, Doctor Grégory Taurin heads the neurology department of the hospital. Interview :
Le Pays Malouin: Is it true that Brittany is the second most affected region in France?
Doctor Grégory Taurin: Brittany is indeed the second region most affected by strokes in France. Mainly due to demographic and socio-cultural factors. The Breton population is aging, and cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure are perhaps more frequent there.
And in the country of Saint-Malo, how many people are victims of it each year?
Around 800 people are hospitalized each year for the treatment of a stroke at the local hospital center.
Why does stroke claim more victims in women?
Strokes generally occur at a later age in women. This factor could explain a more unfavorable development compared to men (1).
Young adults not spared
What is the typical profile of a stroke victim?
Stroke victims are most often patients aged over 65, with cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, dyslipidemia or obesity. Heart rhythm disorders, such as atrial fibrillation, are also frequently found.
However, strokes can also affect young adults, especially when there is a combination of several risk factors.
Are strokes hereditary?
Stroke itself is not a hereditary disease, but some associated risk factors, such as familial hypercholesterolemia, can be transmitted genetically.
Is there an age at risk?
The risk of stroke increases exponentially with age, particularly after age 55. However, as mentioned earlier, stroke can also occur at a younger age.
Two types of stroke
“A stroke, or cerebrovascular accident, is like a ‘short circuit’ in the brain. It occurs when a part of the brain no longer receives enough blood and oxygen,” explains Doctor Grégory Taurin. Stroke can occur in two main ways. Via a “blockage”, this is what we call an ischemic stroke: a clot blocks an artery that brings blood to the brain. Or by a “leak” (hemorrhagic stroke): an artery ruptures and causes hemorrhage in or around the brain.
Symptoms to take into account
What are the main warning signs of a stroke? Do the symptoms come on suddenly?
The symptoms of a stroke usually appear suddenly:
– Paralysis or numbness on one side of the body (face, arms, legs).
– Language disorders (difficulty speaking or understanding).
– Loss of vision in one or both eyes.
– Sudden dizziness or balance problems.
– Intense and unusual headaches, more common in hemorrhagic strokes.
Why do we say that every minute counts in stroke care?
Every minute without treatment leads to the death of 1.9 million neurons! Rapid treatment is crucial to limit brain damage. Emergency treatments, such as thrombolysis, intravenous treatment carried out on the Saint-Malo site of the Rance Émeraude hospital group (within 4.5 hours after the appearance of symptoms) or mechanical thrombectomy, after transfer of patients to emergency for support by interventional neuroradiologists at Rennes University Hospital (up to 6 hours, or even 24 hours in certain cases), helps reduce mortality and improve functional recovery.
Is there a period when we see more strokes?
Although winter shows a slight increase in stroke cases, the risk remains present all year round. Individual factors (hypertension, diabetes, smoking, sedentary lifestyle) play a much more important role than climatic or seasonal conditions.
What is the difference between a stroke and a TIA (transient ischemic attack)?
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) manifests itself with symptoms similar to those of a stroke, but these resolve within a few minutes, without leaving brain damage visible on imaging.
However, a TIA is an emergency because it is a warning: the risk of stroke in the following days is high (10% within 48 hours and 20% within 3 months). Rapid treatment is necessary to avoid progression to a stroke.
(1) “Because they live longer than men and are more exposed to aging diseases that cause strokes, such as cardiac arrhythmia,” analyzes Pierre Amarenco, professor at Bichat hospital and president of the Vaincre l fund. ‘Stroke. The specific risk factors linked to the three key phases of their hormonal life (contraception, pregnancy, menopause) are unknown. “High blood pressure is the first factor. One in two postmenopausal women are hypertensive and often ignore it,” the specialist explained to Paris Match.
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