Best Stroke Doctors in Chennai

Stroke is a cerebrovascular disease that happens when the blood vessels supplying the brain get interrupted due to a blockage or rupture. This disruption in blood flow deprives the brain cells of oxygen and nutrients, leading to their damage or even death. A stroke can be caused by several factors, including high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and high cholesterol levels. Other predisposing factors include age, family history, and certain heart conditions. Stroke can have serious outcomes such as permanent disability or even mortality if not promptly treated.

Stroke is a serious and growing health concern across India, with cities like Chennai facing a significant burden. Fortunately, the presence of skilled stroke specialists in Chennai's Apollo Hospitals provides reassurance to those threatened by this condition. The best stroke treatment doctors at Apollo Hospitals are committed to delivering top-notch care for stroke patients.

Types/Stages of Stroke

Here are the primary categories of stroke:

• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): This constitutes a temporary interruption in the brain's blood supply, causing short-lived symptoms without leaving permanent damage.

• Ischemic Stroke: Occurs when an obstruction like a blood clot impedes the blood flow to part of the brain. It can lead to serious long-term complications and even death if left untreated.

• Haemorrhagic Stroke: This type involves a blood-vessel rupture within the brain, leading to bleeding into surrounding tissues and potentially causing severe damage.

Symptoms of Stroke

The manifestation of a stroke varies based on its type and severity. The common symptoms observed by stroke treatment doctors include:

• Facial drooping or numbness

• Weakness or paralysis especially on one side of the body

• Slurred speech or difficulty understanding speech

• Confusion, disorientation, or unresponsiveness

• Sudden behavioural changes

Tests to Diagnose Stroke

To confirm a stroke and ascertain its type and extent, stroke disease treatment doctors at Apollo Hospitals utilise the following tests:

• Neurological Examination: Assess the patient's neurological function by performing tasks and asking questions.

• Diagnostic Imaging: CT scans, MRI scans, and carotid ultrasound are done to visualise the brain and blood vessels.

• Blood Tests: These tests help detect signs of bleeding or blood clots, clotting factors levels, and infections.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Stroke at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai

Stroke treatment hinges on its type and severity. The stroke treatment doctors at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai offer several effective strategies:

• Medications: For ischemic strokes, thrombolytic drugs to dissolve blood clots or antiplatelet agents to prevent further clotting are commonly used.

• Surgical Procedures: Carotid endarterectomy can be performed to clear plaque from the carotid arteries, or angioplasty may be employed to open blocked blood vessels.

• In case of haemorrhagic strokes, clipping or coiling procedures may be used to halt bleeding with medications such as blood thinners prescribed to prevent further bleeding.

• Mechanical Embolectomy: This procedure involves removing the clot via a catheter and clot-removal device to restore normal blood flow to the brain