Overview
- The SANO trial of about 2,800 patients across 30 regions found coordinated outpatient aftercare improved vascular risk profiles and was linked to fewer deaths within one year, with no short‑term reduction in stroke recurrences or heart attacks.
- Researchers plan SANO‑EXTEND to assess longer‑term outcomes, while clinicians argue for nationwide, structured aftercare as current follow‑up often runs unsystematically through general practitioners.
- Rapid treatment in specialized Stroke Units reduces disability and mortality, and Germany has more than 350 units, yet an estimated five million people still face drives longer than 30 minutes despite broad coverage.
- Roughly 270,000 people in Germany suffer a stroke each year, most are ischemic rather than hemorrhagic, and many events could be prevented through blood pressure control, smoking cessation, healthier diet and more exercise.
- More than half of survivors require aids, therapy or care a year after a stroke, and public guidance stresses recognizing FAST symptoms and calling 112 immediately to access time‑critical therapies.