NOW 'STROKE' IS STRIKING PEOPLE IN THEIR FORTIES

Sedentary lifestyle, stress, hypertension, diabetes blamed as major risk factors

- Kuldeep.Tiwari

Stroke (popularly known as a brain stroke) is increasing among the young population both in men and women in their 40s - primarily due to sedentary lifestyle, high stress, hypertension, diabetes and smoking habits.

According to the Indian Stroke Association (ISA), every 30 seconds a person is suffering from stroke in India, which includes Gujarat too. ISA Secretary, Dr Arvind Sharma said, “Earlier, stroke was what was seen as an old age problem, in the past decade the number of youngsters - particularly in 40s - suffering from stroke have risen by 25%. The main culprits are smoking, poor lifestyle and stress.”

Lifestyle, stress main culprits

Agreeing with Dr Sharma, Dr Dushyant Chauhan, former President of Academy of Neurologists of Ahmedabad added, “Since there are multiple symptoms of stroke, people aren’t able to identify it easily. Often, family physicians also aren’t able to diagnose it.”