Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria is among EU countries with highest mortality from brain stroke

Assoc. Prof. Rosen Kalpachki
Photo: Ani Petrova, BNR

There are four times as many people dying of brain stroke in Bulgaria compared to other EU countries, according to a 2021 report by the European Commission.

In 2023, 45,000 brain stroke patients were registered in Bulgaria, of which more than 5,500 died in hospital. This was said by Assoc. Prof. Rosen Kalpachki, head of the Brain Stroke Treatment Centre at St. Anna Hospital", during an expert meeting dedicated to cardiovascular diseases and stroke. 

There are 70 neurological units in Sofia, but not all of them have "intensive, resuscitation beds" to treat patients who have had a stroke, said Assoc. Prof. Kalpachki. 

In Bulgaria the death rate from stroke is 320 people per hundred thousand population, added Assoc. Prof. Kalpachki quoted by BTA. 

In 2023, 133 hospitals declared that they treated brain strokes, and 49 of them indicated that they did one thrombolysis (one of the stroke treatments) in the year. 

According to Assoc. Prof. Kalpachki, only three percent of stroke victims in Bulgaria are treated by thrombolysis.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Bulgarian Judges Association raises concern over new antivirus software

Judges have opposed the introduction of a new antivirus agent on their computers. The magistrates fear that it could violate personal data protection rules and compromise the independence of the judiciary. In an official letter, the Bulgarian..

published on 11/26/25 12:21 PM

Boyko Borisov: Bulgaria will join the eurozone on January 1 despite protests

GERB leader Boyko Borisov said in Parliament that Bulgaria will become a member of the eurozone on January 1, regardless of protests organized by representatives of We Continue the Change Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB). He was commenting on opposition..

published on 11/26/25 11:06 AM

Bulgaria at risk of non compliance with the EU's fiscal framework in 2026

Six countries, including Bulgaria, are at risk of non compliance with the EU fiscal framework in 2026. This is highlighted in the 2026 European Semester Autumn Package, adopted by the European Commission. Another 12 countries are urged to continue..

published on 11/26/25 10:06 AM