Stroke Awareness Everyone MUST Know

In 2010, 1 in 6 adults over the age of 25 years would suffer a stroke in their lifetime, now it is 1 in 4 adults.

“A stroke takes place when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, either totally or partially. Because brain cells require oxygen and nutrients constantly, if blood supply isn’t restored on time, the cells will start dying.

It is extremely important for the patient to receive treatment as soon as you suspect stroke symptoms. Minutes can save memories, speech, independence, mobility and lives. “ – Doctor Nitin Jagasia (Head, Emergency Medical Services Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai).

Common signs of stroke:

• Loss of movement / power on one side of the body
• Numbness of face, arm, or leg
• Facial asymmetry
• Confusion, trouble in speaking or understanding speech
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Difficulty in walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Severe headache

“As soon as any of the above symptoms are seen, the patient should be shifted to a stroke care centre without delay. Urgent CT or MRI of brain could be done to rule out haemorrhage and/or to diagnose the stroke.

Treatment for stroke patients can be done with IV thrombolysis. Under this process, a buster medicine is given to lyse the clot. Time window for IVT (intravenous thrombolytic therapy) is 4.5 hours. It is extremely important to monitor and control the BP of patient during injection for any deterioration of clinical status.” – Dr Vishal Chafle (Consultant, Interventional Neurology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai)

“Due to shortcomings and limitations of IVT for stroke, endovascular interventional techniques have developed and evolved over the last few years. In patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS), an angiographic procedure called ‘Mechanical Thrombectomy’ is performed to remove the clots (blockages) in the arteries supplying blood to the brain. This procedure reduces the severity of paralysis, disability, helps in restoring blood flow and improves the functional recovery of the patient.

To improve the patient’s heath, Interventional treatments have a vital role in reducing the risk of stroke. Another important procedure is ‘Carotid or Vertebral Artery Stenting’. Angioplasty & Stenting of the arteries supplying blood to the brain helps to improve the blood flow & protects from the risk of a potential stroke.” – Dr Amit Sahu (Consultant, Interventional Radiology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai)

Precautions to follow:

• Keep a track of your personal risk factors: high BP, diabetes, cholesterol
• Exercise regularly to be physically fit
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Say no to alcohol and smoking
• Be aware of the warning signs and take action immediately