World stroke day at NUREL – 29 October

At NUREL, we join the campaign to raise stroke awareness: a condition where every minute counts

29 October marks world stroke day, a date dedicated to highlighting the vital importance of prevention and early detection. Stroke is currently the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability worldwide. In Spain, between 110,000 and 120,000 new cases are recorded each year, with a particularly high incidence among women.

Every year, World Stroke Day aims to increase global awareness regarding prevention, detection, and the necessity of rapid action when the first symptoms appear.

More than 25% of those affected pass away, and two out of every three survivors suffer from long-term consequences, often resulting in disability. Therefore, awareness and swift intervention are fundamental to saving lives and reducing the impact of a stroke.

What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted:

• In the majority of cases (over 80%), it is caused by a blood clot blocking an artery (ischaemic stroke).

• In other instances, it is caused by the bursting of a blood vessel (haemorrhagic stroke).

Both types are medical emergencies. Recognising the symptoms and acting immediately can make all the difference.

Key symptoms of a stroke

Taking fast action begins with knowing how to identify the warning signs. The main symptoms include:

• Sudden loss of strength or numbness in the face or limbs.

• Difficulty speaking or understanding speech.

• Visual disturbances (double vision or sudden loss of vision).

• Loss of coordination or balance.

• An intense headache, different from any usual pain.

If any of these signs appear, call 112 (or 999/112 in the UK/EU) immediately. This activates the Stroke Code (Código Ictus), a healthcare protocol that ensures priority and specialised medical attention at the hospital.

Every minute counts

During a stroke, two million neurons are destroyed every minute. The window of time to receive treatment is extremely limited; thus, rapid action can mean the difference between a full recovery or permanent disability.

It is estimated that one in four people will suffer a stroke in their lifetime. For this reason, information and prevention are essential.

This is why at NUREL we want to remind everyone that being informed and acting quickly saves lives. At NUREL, we reinforce our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our workforce. To raise awareness about this condition, we have distributed informative placemats in our staff canteen areas.

Caring for our health and the health of those around us is a core part of our corporate values. Knowing the symptoms and knowing how to act can save lives—yours or someone close to you.

Help us detect it in time!