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Increased stress levels and anxiety are the main reasons for strokes in present times. To be able to identify the risk factors and sudden symptoms, and initiate early treatment could reduce brain damage and be safe, said medical experts, who participated in a webinar, “Stroke Awareness: Recognise the Signs. Respond in Time”. K. Subramaniyan, clinical lead and senior consultant, Neurology, Kauvery Hospital, Radial Road, Chennai, said: “People must understand that stroke is a medical emergency. In India, it is the third largest killer after heart attack and cancer.” Prevalence rate He added that the estimated prevalence of stroke in India is 203 per 1,00,000 population, with 12% of strokes occurring in people under 40 years of age. The fact that one in six people is likely to suffer a stroke in their lifetime indicates that it is a serious medical condition of which people must be aware. The panellists at the webinar presented by Kauvery Hospital, in collaboration with The Hindu, as part of the wellness series on the eve of World Stroke Day (October 29), discussed the modifiable risk factors for stroke and lifestyle for better brain health. They added that those with uncontrolled blood pressure and on blood thinners fall into the high-risk group. BE FAST (Balance, Eye vision, Face, Arms, Speech and Time) is crucial for recognising the warning signs, said K. Madusuthan, consultant neurosurgeon from Tiruchi. “A sudden fall due to unsteadiness, blurred vision, facial drooping, numbness in arm, and slurred speech will require a patient to be rushed to a stroke care centre or any hospital with CT and MRI facilities,” he said. Dhivya Selvaraj, neurology and neuroscience consultant from Salem, said two million neurons die every minute when blood supply to a part of the brain is disrupted either due to blockage or bleeding. “Symptoms such as severe headache or loss of sensation on one side of the body are usually sudden, and need to be noticed quickly for treatment,” she said. The panellists also spoke about how adult disability is a primary after-effect of stroke in patients as they become dependent on others for daily activities. “While diagnosis helps determine strokes, people should not go for it out of anxiety. Knowing the symptoms is good, but anxiety can lead to increased stress levels and further damage,” Dr. Subramaniyan said. Dr. Selvaraj said she was seeing an increase in patients reporting high stress levels, particularly at workplaces. “Do yoga, eat and sleep well, and be active to keep stroke at bay.” Watch the session on newsth.live/THKWSL
