One Indian suffers a brain stroke every 20 seconds, or three every minute, and the numbers are rising rapidly due to changing lifestyles! Around 1.54 million Indians are affected by a stroke each year at this rate, and the worst part is that 90% of stroke patients do not arrive at the hospital on time.
A stroke can happen to anyone, at anytime and anywhere. It occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts (or ruptures). When that happens, a section of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so it and brain cells die. Today stroke is the leading cause of disability worldwide and the second leading cause of death. Many stroke survivors face significant challenges that include physical disability, communication problems, changes in how they think and feel, loss of work, income, and social networks. In extreme cases, stroke may prove fatal too.
What are the Types of Stroke?
A stroke occurs due to a decrease or blockage in the brain’s blood supply. A person experiencing a stroke needs immediate emergency treatment. There are three main types of stroke:
- Ischemic stroke
This makes up to 87% of all cases. A blood clot prevents blood and oxygen from reaching an area of the brain. - Hemorrhagic stroke
This occurs when a blood vessel ruptures. These are usually the result of aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). - Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
This occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is inadequate for a brief period of time, and the symptoms resolve without treatment.
Warning Signs of Stroke
When you suffer a stroke, the blood supply to your brain is cut off. To avoid brain damage, incapacity, or even death, you must seek treatment as soon as possible. Watch out for these warning signs of stroke using the FAST test:
- Face
Smile and see if one side of the face droops. - Arms
Raise both arms, are you noticing weakness? - Speech
Check if the speech is slurring. - Time
If the answer to any of these is yes, call emergency medical help.
If you think you or someone you know is suffering from a stroke you must contact our emergency services on
022 42699999.
Stroke Prevention Measures
Up to 90% of strokes could be prevented by addressing a small number of risk factors. These include:
- Hypertension
Monitor your blood pressure levels as untreated hypertension damages blood vessels and can lead to a number of serious diseases including stroke. - Exercise
Just 30 minutes of exercise five times a week can reduce your risk of stroke by 25%. Be regular with your exercise regime. - Eat healthy
Over half of the strokes are linked to a poor diet but making small dietary changes can help change this. Making healthy food choices will help maintain a healthy weight, reduce your blood pressure and lower your cholesterol, thus reducing your stroke risk. - Weight
Being overweight is one of the top ten risk factors for stroke and is associated with almost 1 in 5 strokes. Maintaining a healthy weight will help you reduce your risk of stroke. - Atrial Fibrillation
This is a condition where the heartbeat is irregular and often very fast. It is very important to know about atrial fibrillation and treat it as it may pose a major risk factor for stroke. - Smoking
Smoking tobacco increases your risk of having a stroke by two times than a non-smoker. Quit smoking. - Alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol may increase your risk of stroke, globally excessive alcohol consumption is linked to over 1 million strokes each year. Say “No” to alcohol. - Cholesterol
Stroke is linked to high levels of LDL cholesterol. Cholesterol levels must be monitored regularly so that they can be managed with lifestyle changes or medication. - Diabetes
1 in 5 people who have a stroke are diabetic and people with diabetes have poorer outcomes from stroke compared to others. Diabetes can be managed with medication, diet, and exercise. - Depression and stress
Depression and stress are linked to almost two times greater risk of stroke particularly in adults who are middle-aged and older.
Stroke treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital
A Stroke is a complex medical issue and minutes matter in treating stroke. Recognizing the signs of stroke early, treating it as a medical emergency with admission to a specialized stroke unit, and access to advanced medical care can substantially improve outcomes. The Stroke Unit at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital offers a comprehensive stroke care programme for the management of acute and chronic stroke patients and offers the fastest emergency care. The Multidisciplinary team of experts help in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation care of stroke patients using high-end technological expertise. Please find below our website link for further information about our Centre for Neurosciences: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_neurosciences/stroke.html