Prevention of stroke--a report from collaboration project between Zagreb and Barcelona.
Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is the main killer in the modern society and the most frequent cause of death and disability. According to the experiences of highly developed Western countries, especially of the U.S.A., the incidence of stroke can be reduced by the development and introduction of preventive actions and change of life style. Incidence of cerebrovascular disease is high in Croatia as well as in Spain (46% in the 46-59 age range) with an increasing tendency in younger population. As prevention is the only way of CVD incidence reduction, it is indispensable to organize an integral preventive neurologic network. Within the W.H.O. project "Health for All by the Year 2000 and the project "Zagreb"--Healthy City" a preventive action under the slogan 'With perfect brain and veins--enjoy the healthy days', has been organized with the aim to reduce the incidence of stroke for 20% during the following 10-year period. A standardized work of preventive network in Zagreb has also been established in Barcelona as a joint work. Using the interdisciplinary counselling approach, medical teams are still making examinations. In Zagreb Center for Neurological Sciences and Brain Research, data of risk factor distributions and trends of stroke incidence changes have been collected and the results have been analyzed. The Zagreb Center has also become a center for continuous evaluation and further planning. In this article functions of preventive centers, the preventive standardized protocol and structural and functional preventive network are introduced. The results of preventive action in Zagreb are also briefly presented.
Demarin
V
V
Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Sestre milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia.
Rundek
T
T
Tomljanović
B
B
Carillo-Pintos
J
J
Masso-Estrade
J
J
D000368:Aged; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors