Portugal logs 6,714 suspected stroke cases in 2026, about 26 a day

Suspected cases keep climbing

The National Emergency Medical Institute (INEM) recorded 6,714 people with stroke signs and symptoms between 1 January and 15 October 2026, an average of about 790 cases a month or roughly 26 a day. The institute told the Lusa news agency on World Stroke Day, 29 October, that the figures have risen since 2024. Women accounted for 52% of suspected cases this year, and the average age of those cases was 77. People aged 70 to 89 made up 54.8% of the total.

INEM framed the rise carefully, attributing it to stronger capacity to identify and flag suspected cases.

“These figures reflect a more sensitive system for early detection, and do not necessarily mean an increase in the incidence of stroke.”

Lisbon and Porto lead referrals

Lisbon and Porto had the most suspected cases routed to the Via Verde do AVC, the emergency protocol designed to guarantee fast rescue and priority care for stroke victims. Lisbon recorded 1,019 cases and Porto 1,014. Aveiro (437), Setúbal (418) and Braga (398) followed, according to the institute's figures, which put the two largest districts well ahead of the rest of the list.

Lisbon1,019

Porto1,014

Aveiro437

Setúbal418

Braga398

Lisbon

1019

Porto

1014

Aveiro

437

Setúbal

418

Braga

398

Data from the article text

The protocol was activated pre-hospital 6,876 times in 2022, 8,796 times in 2023, 7,886 times in 2024 and 9,490 times in 2025. Those activation counts are a separate series from the 2026 case flags, so they show the longer trend in use of the protocol.

20226,876

20238,796

20247,886

20259,490

2022

6876

2023

8796

2024

7886

2025

9490

Data from the article text

Timing and the 112 call

Speed remains central to stroke care, and the institute's update includes timing data. In 34% of cases, less than 60 minutes passed between symptom onset and the opening of a case at the CODU emergency centres, and the time symptoms began was recorded in 72% of situations. INEM notes that recording the start time is vital for clinical assessment and for directing the patient to care. The institute urges people to call 112 as soon as suspected stroke symptoms appear, because early triage and treatment depend on it.

Recovery after discharge

Commentary published on World Stroke Day shifts attention to the period after the emergency. An Expresso reflection says that, on average, three people in Portugal suffer a stroke every hour and that about half of survivors are left with some degree of disability. A SAPO feature says most functional recovery occurs in the first three to six months, and that rehabilitation should begin during the hospital stay rather than after discharge. The same feature lists physiotherapy for mobility and balance, occupational therapy for daily activities and speech therapy for aphasia and swallowing. It describes post-stroke depression as common and says that, when untreated, it can stall the whole rehabilitation process. The Expresso piece adds that many patients lose specialised follow-up after the early phases, and it calls for three priorities: access to care, continuity of care and access to specialised rehabilitation.