Core Viewpoint - The recent cold wave in northern China has led to a significant increase in stroke cases, particularly in the elderly, highlighting the health risks associated with sudden temperature drops [1][2][4]. Group 1: Stroke Incidence and Risk Factors - Clinical studies indicate that for every 1°C drop in temperature, the risk of stroke increases by approximately 1.13% [4]. - Since the onset of winter, the number of stroke patients treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University has risen by 30% to 40% [4]. - The trend shows a notable increase in stroke cases among younger individuals, with a 40% rise in the incidence of ischemic strokes in people aged 18 to 45 over the past decade [6]. Group 2: Emergency Response and Treatment - Stroke is the leading cause of death and disability in China, with nearly 15 million stroke patients and 3.3 million new cases annually [9]. - The "120 rule" has been introduced to help quickly identify acute strokes, emphasizing the importance of immediate medical attention within the critical 4.5-hour window for effective treatment [10][18]. - The average time from patient arrival to thrombolysis treatment in Hai'an has been reduced to 37 minutes, showcasing improvements in emergency response [21]. Group 3: Public Health Initiatives - The "Million Reduction of Disability Project" aims to reduce new cases of disability from strokes by 1 million by 2030, with a focus on building stroke centers and improving emergency response systems [19]. - Nationwide, stroke centers now cover 718 tertiary hospitals and 1,550 secondary hospitals, creating a comprehensive treatment network [23]. - The initiative has led to a median time of 40 minutes for stroke patients from admission to thrombolysis, surpassing the international standard of 60 minutes [21].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant increase in stroke cases in northern China due to a recent cold wave, emphasizing the correlation between temperature drops and the risk of cerebrovascular diseases [1][3][5]. Group 1: Stroke Incidence and Risk Factors - Clinical studies indicate that for every 1°C drop in temperature, the risk of stroke increases by approximately 1.13% [3]. - Since the onset of winter, the emergency department at China Medical University Affiliated First Hospital has seen a 30% to 40% increase in stroke cases [3]. - The drop in temperature leads to blood vessel constriction and increased blood viscosity, which are significant risk factors for stroke [5]. Group 2: Demographics and Trends - There is a rising trend in stroke incidence among younger individuals, with a 40% increase in the rate of ischemic strokes among those aged 18 to 45 globally over the past decade [7]. - The average age of stroke patients is decreasing, with cases reported in individuals as young as 16 years old [9]. Group 3: Emergency Response and Treatment - Stroke is the leading cause of death and disability in China, with nearly 15 million stroke patients and 3.3 million new cases annually [9]. - The "120" emergency response protocol is crucial for timely treatment, as every minute of delay results in the death of approximately 1.9 million brain cells [9]. - The implementation of the "Million Reduction of Disability Project" aims to reduce new cases of disability from stroke by 1 million by 2030, with a focus on building stroke centers and improving emergency response times [18][20]. Group 4: Community Health Initiatives - Jiangsu Province has invested in building a three-tiered prevention and treatment system for stroke, ensuring rapid treatment for patients [18]. - The average time from patient arrival to thrombolysis in Hai'an City has been reduced to 37 minutes, significantly improving outcomes [18]. - Nationwide, the median time from hospital admission to thrombolysis has decreased to 40 minutes, surpassing the international standard of 60 minutes [20]. Group 5: Awareness and Education - Experts emphasize the importance of recognizing stroke symptoms and the need for immediate medical attention to avoid missing critical treatment windows [9][13]. - Educational initiatives are underway to improve public awareness of stroke risks and symptoms, particularly among high-risk populations [20].

Core Insights - The 2025 China Stroke Conference was held in Beijing from November 7 to 9, highlighting significant advancements in stroke center construction across the country [1] Group 1: Stroke Center Development - As of the end of October this year, stroke center construction has covered over 70% of districts and counties nationwide [1] - A total of 745 tertiary hospital stroke centers and 1,681 secondary hospital stroke centers have been established, representing increases of 16.8% and 15.1% respectively compared to the previous year [3] - Stroke centers now cover 97.9% of cities and 70.6% of districts and counties [3] Group 2: Stroke Prevention Initiatives - The "Million Disability Reduction Project" aims to reduce 1 million new disabilities by 2030, with a focus on hypertension as a key risk factor for stroke prevention [3] - Citizens aged 30 and above are encouraged to undergo annual blood pressure checks [3] Group 3: Treatment Improvements - The median time from hospital admission to thrombolysis for stroke patients has been reduced to 40 minutes, which is better than the international standard of 60 minutes [6] - In 2024, 1,175 counties are expected to meet standards for intravenous thrombolysis, covering a population of 850 million [5] - A total of 733 counties are expected to meet standards for thrombectomy [5] Group 4: Future Directions - The National Health Commission plans to guide the reasonable arrangement of stroke center construction to meet treatment needs [8] - There will be an emphasis on building a continuous service system for stroke diagnosis and treatment, as well as a graded diagnosis and treatment model for stroke [8]

Core Insights - The risk of stroke for Chinese residents is as high as 40%, ranking first among 195 countries, which is inconsistent with the country's economic status and medical level [2][7] - The average age of first stroke occurrence in China is 61, which is 13 years earlier than in the United States, leading to a significant number of working-age individuals affected [2][7] - Approximately 60% of stroke patients in China may experience functional disabilities, highlighting the importance of stroke prevention and control [2][4] Stroke Prevention and Control Efforts - The "Million Reduction of Disability Project" has established over 2,000 stroke centers nationwide, and the introduction of 5G mobile stroke units has reduced treatment time to 8 minutes [3][4] - Despite progress, the five-year recurrence rate for stroke patients is 41%, and the screening rate is only 0.24%, with county-level treatment network coverage at 52.4% [3][4] - The government aims to implement a three-tiered medical alliance for stroke prevention, targeting a 30% reduction in incidence, a 40% decrease in disability mortality, and a 50% reduction in recurrence rates by 2025 [3][8] Current Challenges in Stroke Management - Stroke in China exhibits high incidence, high recurrence, high disability rates, and a trend towards younger patients, making it a severe social issue [4][7] - The annual new stroke cases exceed 2 million, with approximately 18 million existing stroke patients, making stroke the leading cause of disability in the country [4][7] - There are significant disparities in stroke center coverage, with less than 60% coverage and only 41% of provinces achieving coverage in 60% of districts [5][7] Future Goals and Strategies - By 2025, the government aims for a 60% identification and awareness rate of hypertension among residents aged 30 and above, with at least one secondary hospital in every city and county routinely performing thrombolysis and thrombectomy [7][8] - A proactive screening mechanism has been established, leveraging community health workers to increase hypertension screening rates to over 90% [8] - The goal is to reduce stroke incidence by over 30%, disability mortality by 40%, and recurrence rates by 50% through active health strategies [8]