A drooping, asymmetrical smile or not being able to smile are symptoms that can help detect a stroke. This is the message of the new video of the #GeneraciónINVICTUS campaign, presented by the actress Lydia Bosch.
If it is suspected that a person may be suffering from a stroke, asking them to smile is an easy way to detect if they have lost strength or mobility in the muscles of the face. Smiling is a very complex movement, in which the movement of various muscles is coordinated and for which the involvement of a large number of neurons is required. The fact that a person cannot smile, has a drooping or asymmetrical smile should alert us to the possibility that you are suffering from a stroke and the need to call the emergency services at 112.
This is especially important considering that stroke is the leading cause of death in women in Spain: more than twice as many women die from stroke than from breast cancer and some 14 times more than from traffic accidents. However, a large number of women overlook the possible symptoms or do not give it the importance it deserves, since stroke is often socially related mainly to men, as the pharmaceutical company warns promoter of this campaign that has the social endorsement of the Spanish Federation of Associations of Anticoagulated Patients (), the Spanish Stroke Federation (), and
Detecting its possible symptoms and acting quickly can save lives and reduce the consequences of suffering a stroke. As the experts point out, the first 3-6 hours after a stroke are keyand for every minute in which blood circulation in a person’s brain is reduced or stopped, 1.9 million neurons and 14 trillion neural connections are lost, and one hour without circulation represents a brain aging of 3.6 years2.
Given the possible symptoms of stroke, it is vitally important to call 112 and provide care as quickly as possible. These are the possible symptoms to watch out for:
· Not being able to raise one of the two arms
Loss of strength on one side of the body: arms, legs, hands, etc.
Dropped or asymmetrical smile
· Problems speaking, such as saying a made-up or nonsense word, or not being able to speak
Sudden severe headache
A campaign to raise awareness about the impact of stroke on women
This video is part of the campaign which this year focuses on the identification of warning symptoms of stroke, especially among women, a key concept to act quickly and to avoid death, as well as possible sequelae.
As stated by the Dr. Holger J. Gellermannmedical director of Boehringer Ingelheim Spaintoit states, “Under our commitment to help improve the quality of life of patients and with the premise of being perceived as the company against stroke, we also feel obliged to inform and raise awareness to reduce their numbers. Acting quickly when faced with the symptoms of a possible stroke is vital to avoid possible sequelae and even death, given the importance of the first hours after the stroke. Every minute counts.”