Health problems in patients after surviving a stroke

Information for nursing staff, 2025, 57(4), 7-10.

D. Blagoeva

Department of Health Care, Faculty of Public Health „Prof. Tzecomir Vodenitcharov, MD, DSc”, Medical University – Sofia

Abstract: Stroke is a socially significant disease, characterized by high morbidity and mortality, causing severe disability. Worldwide, the disease is the second leading cause of death. Bulgaria is in the unfavorable top ranking, according to which stroke is the leading cause of death, and the mortality rate is four times higher than in other countries in the European Union. The aim of the study is to investigate and analyze the health problems of patients after experiencing a stroke. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted between December 15, 2024, and April 4, 2025, in two university hospitals in Sofia and covered 78 patients who had survived a stroke. A direct, individual, anonymous survey was conducted using a questionnaire specially developed for this purpose. Statistical processing and graphical presentation of the results were performed using MS Excel 2017. Results and Conclusions: Strokes are socially significant diseases, which in half of the cases are diagnosed in active working age. The frequency is higher in men compared to women. The health problems faced by stroke patients are mainly difficulty in walking and varying degrees of disability, problems with self-care and performing routine activities at home, disorders related to social life, as well as problems with speech and communication.

Key words: health problems, disability, stroke

Address for correspondence: Dimitrina Blagoeva, MD, e-mail: d.jordanova@foz.mu-sofia.bg