Fuerteventura Health Authority trains public on stroke prevention and early detection
The Fuerteventura Health Area will organize on February 26 a training session aimed at the general public to raise awareness about stroke prevention and early detection, one of the leading causes of disability and mortality among adults.
The event, promoted by the Training Department of the Management of Health Services of Fuerteventura — attached to the Health Council of the Government of the Canary Islands — will be held from 17:00 to 20:00 in the auditorium of the Insular Youth Center in Puerto del Rosario. Admission is free until capacity is reached and the initiative is supported by the capital’s City Council.
During the session, health professionals will cover the main warning signs, the importance of activating the Stroke Code immediately, as well as risk factors and cardiovascular prevention measures. The aim is to improve citizens’ knowledge so they can act swiftly in a time‑dependent condition where every minute counts.
Participating specialists from the Neurology Service of the General Hospital of Fuerteventura include Carla Vera, Manuel Regalado, and Alberto López; emergency physician José Dearriba; primary‑care nurses Paula Travieso and Esperanza Bardanca; and physiotherapist Paula Terrado.
Risk Factors
The specialists remind that the main risk factors for stroke are:
- Hypertension
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
These conditions promote the development of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Additional cardiac pathologies, such as atrial fibrillation, significantly increase the likelihood of a stroke.
Other contributing factors include a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs. Nevertheless, other types of stroke can affect younger individuals or patients with a family history, even in the absence of the classic risk factors.
International Recognition
The Neurology Service of the General Hospital of Fuerteventura was recently honored with the ‘Angels Oro’ award, granted by the European Stroke Organization, in recognition of the outstanding care demonstrated during the last quarter of 2025, a period in which 36 Stroke Code activations were handled.
The award evaluates aspects such as rapid response, correct application of reperfusion therapies, and coordinated care, highlighting the hospital’s capacity to deliver an effective response to this medical emergency.
With initiatives like this training day, the Health Area reinforces its commitment to prevention, health education, and citizen involvement in the fight against stroke in Fuerteventura.