Cerebrovascular accidents: an issue of prevention and awareness

Clariane Group

On the occasion of World Stroke Day on October 29th, the Korian Group reminds us of the importance of being informed and aware in order to better spot the signs and help the victims of a stroke. Rapid treatment is necessary to limit the impact of a stroke on health and the development of after-effects. In this context, several Inicea clinics (Inicea: the brand name for the Group's health activities) are conducting awareness campaigns.

A stroke : what is it ?

A stroke occurs when blood flow to or within the brain is interrupted by a blocked blood vessel (most common ischaemic stroke) or by a ruptured blood vessel (haemorrhagic stroke), in less than 15% of cases. (Source: Ministry of Health and Prevention)
Journée mondiale de l'AVC - chiffres

With 120,000 to 140,000 new strokes occurring each year (just in France), neurovascular diseases are a public health priority. In Europe, a new stroke occurs every 1 to 4 minutes.

 

How can stroke be prevented?

Certain lifestyles are risk factors and are associated with 90% of strokes. To reduce the risk of high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol, which can all contribute to stroke, we can all adopt these few habits:

  • Balanced diet,
  • Stop smoking,
  • Reduction of alcohol consumption,
  • Regular physical activity.

 

How to detect a stroke?

Know the main warning signs:

  • Mouth deformity (unsymmetrical grimace or smile)
  • Weakness on one side of the body, arm and/or leg (one arm cannot be raised or falls back)
  • Speech problems (difficulty in speaking or understanding)

At the slightest sign or suspicion, call for help.

Stroke management at Korian

In France

In France, the stroke management pathway is well defined with patients admitted to a neurovascular unit to receive the appropriate expertise (clinical, imaging, technical procedures with thrombectomy and thrombolysis). After the stroke, patients may be referred to a facility offering specialised medical and rehabilitation care, depending on the level of disability. While many Inicea clinics receive these patients, 12 are particularly specialised in the stroke pathway as they are labelled as "specialised in neurological conditions".

They will use all conventional rehabilitation approaches (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, physical activity, speech therapy, neuropsychology, social follow-up, etc.), and sometimes more technological approaches (rehabilitation robot for walking or the upper limb, exoskeleton, rTMS, etc.) in a medical environment that will combat cardiovascular risk factors (tobacco, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, etc.) They will also organise secondary prevention in order to fight against the occurrence of a new stroke, but also to manage complications linked to damage to the central nervous system, in particular the management of neuro-orthopaedic disorders and spasticity (injection of botulinum toxin, clinical expertise, multidisciplinary programmes, etc.). The main objective is to bring the patient back as close as possible to his previous level of autonomy, with or without adaptation.

In 2021, 2,100 stays (102,693 days) were recorded in Inicea medical care establishments in France for post-stroke management.

The Marienia clinic (Cambo les Bains) has set up a digital "post-stroke" pathway to support the patient from the time of the stroke, during his or her rehabilitation stay and after returning home. This pathway is based on a platform proposed by the Move In Med start-up, which links all the hospital and private sector players around the patient, who is himself involved. A pathway coordinator regularly sends the patient follow-up questionnaires and secondary prevention support to fight against risk factors. A mobile team dedicated to the evaluation and support of the disability remains available to travel to the home 
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Rééduc'adom at the Les Cyprès clinic (Avignon)

Mainly dedicated to post-stroke patients, this experiment aims to offer expertise, care and follow-up in the patient's own home during a one-year re-education/rehabilitation care sequence, through structured and integrated coordination with hospital and primary care professionals. The originality of the Rééduc'adom pathway lies in the fact that it is an integrated care system where post-stroke rehabilitation takes place in the patient's home. Its hybrid management thanks to a coordination platform and a digital application guarantees optimal patient compliance and follow-up.

In the context of functional rehabilitation, the Korian Les Cyprès clinic offers an evaluation and support for the resumption of driving, notably thanks to a driving simulator. The ability to drive can indeed be affected in the case of nervous system damage. The resumption of driving is an important step in the rehabilitation process, which means that a thorough examination of the patient's functioning is necessary, taking into account his or her deficits, but also his or her compensatory capacities.

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In Spain

The Torre del Mar senior residence has just inaugurated a treatment unit specialising in neurorehabilitation, which aims to improve the functionality and quality of life of people with brain injuries. It is a 28-bed unit where outpatients are also assisted.

In addition, many post-stroke patients are admitted directly to nursing homes in all countries, especially when they are elderly or have low recovery potential.

En savoir plus

In Spain, more than 435,400 people are affected by brain damage, almost two-thirds of whom are over 65 years old (Source: Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE).

 

In Italy

9 clinics treat post-stroke patients.

Discover them now