Brain stroke
Dr Devashish Vyas, an interventional neurologist with Apollo Hospitals, said that every minute, about 19 lakh brain cells get destroyed after an untreated acute ischemic stroke. More importantly, one in every four patients transferred was below 50 years of age, according to data. “In about 85% of patients, we observe hypertension. We advise everyone above 35 to monitor their blood pressure and undergo regular check-ups,” Shah said.
“His is not an isolated case; we increasingly see patients below 40 and 50 affected by stroke,” said Dr Aalap Shah, founder-director of Mission Health. “Thus, this year’s theme highlights that aspect,” he said. Dr Riddhi Patel-Dave, an interventional neurologist with Shalby Hospitals, said, “There surely is a rise in awareness and more patients are now brought to a medical setting. A lifestyle devoid of exercise and full of ultra-processed food invites such complications, said Dr Kalpesh Shah, an interventional neurosurgeon at Zydus Hospital.
“For these patients, early neuro-rehabilitation can be a life-changer, especially in regaining the ability to walk and talk. “We appeal to citizens to ensure that a patient is at a medical facility with clot-busting medicine at the earliest. “Smoking is found to be another major risk factor. Left ventricular hypertrophy — the thickening of the left heart chamber’s walls — is a major independent risk factor and predictor for stroke.”