UNDERSTANDING STROKE: SYMPTOMS, DIAGNOSIS, AND PREVENTION

Ahead of World Stroke Day on 29 October, The Sunday Guardian spoke with Dr Pradeep Mahindrakar, Chief of Lab for Panvel, Alibaug, and Goa at Metropolis Healthcare Limited.

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Mahindrakar shared crucial insights into the nature of strokes, their symptoms, and the importance of timely diagnosis and intervention, shedding light on how to better understand and prevent this critical health issue.

Q. What is a stroke, and how does it differ from a heart attack? A. A stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is interrupted. This can happen due to an ischemic stroke (a blood clot blocking a vessel) or a hemorrhagic stroke (a burst blood vessel). A stroke affects the brain, resulting in symptoms like sudden paralysis, speech difficulties, and loss of coordination. Meanwhile, a heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked, leading to chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms related to heart function. While both events are emergencies, their impact is different, a stroke affects brain function, often leading to cognitive and physical disabilities, whereas a heart attack damages the heart muscle. Both require immediate medical attention, but they differ in the organs involved and the nature of the blockage or rupture causing the event.