STROKE CARE Golden hour

Stroke is one of the main causes of disability and the fourth leading cause of death. Around 1.8 million people in India suffer from a stroke every year and this incidence of stroke has increased by almost 100 per cent in the past few decades.

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It has been estimated that a quarter of the world’s people over the age of 25 will experience a debilitating stroke during their lifetime. Stroke has become one of the main causes of disability and fourth leading cause of death. According to the latest WHO data published in 2020 Stroke Deaths in India reached 697,038 or 8.23% of total deaths.

What are the various types of stroke? Stroke can be of 2 types – ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke and happens when a major blood vessel in the brain is blocked. In hemorrhagic stroke blood vessel in the brain is ruptured.

What are the risk factors of stroke? There are modifiable and non modifiable risk factors of stroke. Modifiable risk factors are high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, smoking, alcohol, other dug abuses, lack of exercise, obesity, high blood cholesterol, high red blood cell count. Non modifiable risk factors are age, race, gender, family history and prior history of stroke.

How do you know if it’s a stroke?  

The early signs of stroke are summarized as “BEFAST” –

B stands for balance – Is the person loosing his/her coordination or balance? Is he/she having trouble walking?