Stroke in China: advances in prevention and management on the path to a healthy China

Abstract

The incidence and mortality of stroke have decreased in China in the past decade; however, the prevalence of stroke continues to rise because of population ageing. In alignment with the Healthy China 2030 blueprint, there has been a strategic reorientation of health-care services towards the prevention of major diseases, including stroke. Along with the establishment of a nationwide network of stroke centres to enhance the delivery of stroke care and research, progress has also been made in understanding stroke aetiology, screening for and control of risk factors, and promoting early diagnosis and treatment. Evidence from high-quality randomised trials in China supports the wide adoption of reperfusion therapies for ischaemic stroke, early blood pressure lowering after intracerebral haemorrhage, individualised approaches to secondary prevention, and the research evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine and neuroprotective agents. Future efforts should focus on promoting a healthy lifestyle, public education on awareness of stroke prevention and timely access to stroke services, training of stroke clinicians on evidence-based stroke care, and improvements in both pre-hospital and post-hospital stroke services.