Stroke is preventable in over 80% of cases: Experts

Chandigarh, October 28, 2023: “Stroke remains a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide, impacting the lives of millions with a steady rise in the number of cases mainly due to preventable risk factors like uncontrolled Diabetes, Hypertension, obesity, sedentary life style. However, the message of World Stroke Day 2023 is one of hope and empowerment. It encourages everyone to come together to make a difference, recognizing that together, we are greater than stroke.”

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday on the eve of World Stroke Day, Dr Anurag Lamba associate director neurology at Paras Health, Panchkula said , “ An estimated over 2000 people die of stroke every day in India and even more of the people are left disabled. This is because less than 1% of stroke patients in India get treatment within the golden window and only 22% people are aware of the golden window of four- and-a-half hours after an attack”.

“People must not ignore the symptoms of stroke, which includes the sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, trouble in speaking and understanding conversation, sudden unconsciousness, acute diminution in dizziness/imbalance", informed Dr Abeer Goel associate consultant neurology.

Dr Anil Dhingra associate director neurology emphasised the need for correctly identifying the cause of stroke which could be due to blockage of a blood vessel or leakage from a blood vessel thus causing a haemorrhage.

While explaining about the role of neurosurgery in a stroke patient, Dr Aman Batish associate consultant neurology said that about one third of stroke cases are due to haemorrhage which can be due to head injury or leakage from a blood vessel due to uncontrolled blood pressure or an aneurysm which should be treated timely by neurosurgical intervention like coiling or evacuation of bleed.

Stroke is preventable in over 80% of cases and annual screening for high blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol in people above 30 is important. “To reduce the risk of stroke, people must control their blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol; quit smoking; maintain a healthy weight; eat a healthy diet low in sodium with 5+ servings of fruits and vegetables per day; and increase physical activity, aiming for at least 150 minutes per week”.