November 2, 2018.
Neurologists from the Bordeaux University Hospital have just developed a revolutionary technique for detecting the risk of stroke: a stick available in pharmacies which performs an electrocardiogram in 1 minute.
A mini electrocardiogram to detect the risk of stroke
In France, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), which occurs when blood flow to or through the brain is interrupted due to a blocked or ruptured blood vessel, is believed to be the leading cause of death in women and third in men, according to data from Public Health France.
The earlier the stroke is detected, the lower the risk of sequelae. The device developed by neurologists at the Bordeaux University Hospital Center (CHU) can detect the risk of stroke in one minute. The operation of this stick is actually quite simple, since‘this is a “mini” electrocardiogram : it allows to detect a possible disorder of the heart rhythm which could favor the formation of blood clots.
Sticks currently tested for free in the Gironde in pharmacies
It is for the moment in Gironde, in the city of Pessac, that the first tests are made available in 18 pharmacies, free of charge, for people over 65 years of age. Concretely, the patient holds the ends of the stick, which will display a green light after one minute if it is negative, red if it is positive, that is to say when the user has an irregular heartbeat. .
In the event of a positive test, the patient will of course have to go to a doctor for further examinations. If the test results are conclusive, this device could be extended to other regions and could thus help save lives. In the meantime, in order to take care of stroke patients as quickly as possible, it is imperative to call 15 as soon as the first signs appear: difficulty speaking, facial paralysis, a sudden and unusual headache, dizziness or even loss of balance are all signs that should worry you.
Aurélie Giraud
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