Shenzhen expanded its designated stroke treatment network from 31 hospitals in 2021 to 37 in 2024, bringing vital care closer to residents across the city.

The expansion means each stroke center now serves approximately 650,000 people, creating what health officials describe as "lifesaving stations" within reach of every district.

The update was shared during a public open day event held Wednesday to mark World Stroke Day, where medical experts emphasized both the urgency of stroke treatment and the importance of prevention.

"A stroke is essentially a 'traffic jam' or 'burst pipe' in the brain's blood vessels," explained Dr. Fu Pengcheng, director of the Stroke Center at Shenzhen No. 2 People's Hospital. "When brain cells are deprived of oxygen, they stop working, and this damage is largely irreversible."

He stressed the critical time window for treatment. "Every minute of  delay means 1.9 million brain cells die. After just eight minutes without oxygen, brain cells are irreversibly damaged."

Medical experts recommend using the FAST method to identify stroke symptoms: Face (weakness, drooping facial features on one side), Arm (weakness or numbness in a limb, including legs), Speech (difficulty speaking or understanding others), and Time (call emergency services immediately). Additional warning signs include balance problems and sudden dizziness.

Key risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and routine health checks can significantly reduce stroke risk.

For rehabilitation, Shenzhen has integrated traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) into its stroke care system, with four TCM hospitals now participating in the network. Techniques such as acupuncture and therapeutic massage help patients regain movement and speech during recovery.

Recent data show that China records over 2 million new stroke cases annually — one every 12 seconds — and approximately 1.5 million stroke-related deaths each year. Among survivors, 75% experience lasting functional impairments, while 40% face severe disability.