Understanding Stroke Awareness: A Call to Action in India
BENGALURU: In the Indian context, there are approximately 145 stroke cases reported annually for every 100,000 individuals, translating to a stroke incident occurring every 20 seconds. Alarmingly, without timely intervention, about 30% of these patients tragically lose their lives while another 30% suffer from significant disabilities. Dr. Sunil V Furtado, Head of the Department and Senior Consultant at Ramaiah Institute of Neurosciences within Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, noted that merely a fraction—only around 1%—of patients receive optimal care during such critical situations.
The Importance of Stroke Education and Infrastructure
Dr. Furtado emphasized the pressing need for increased public education regarding stroke symptoms and warned about the insufficient facilities available at primary healthcare centers. Furthermore, he pointed out that many patients do not get referred to specialized stroke treatment units when they need it most.
World Stroke Association’s Annual Initiative
This year’s World Stroke Campaign focuses on harnessing the emotional impact of sports and physical activity to boost awareness regarding strokes while promoting preventive measures and rehabilitation methodologies. “Strokes can strike anyone at any moment,” remarked Dr. Sunil, emphasizing that acute strokes represent a treatable neuro-emergency if addressed swiftly.
Risk Factors and Preventive Measures
Certain lifestyle choices significantly heighten the risk of experiencing a stroke; these include cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, elevated cholesterol levels, as well as smoking habits and alcohol intake coupled with sedentary lifestyles. Dr. Furtado stressed that engaging in regular physical activity alongside quitting smoking can decrease stroke risk by up to 90%, making proactive health practices essential.
A Community Initiative for Stroke Awareness
In recognition of World Stroke Day on October 29th, Medicover Hospital Whitefield launched an expansive Stroke Awareness Programme aimed at bringing together medical professionals with survivors and their families in order to foster communal strength against strokes.
The Need for Regular Health Check-ups
Consultant Neurologist Dr. Poonam C Awatare highlighted that both younger individuals and older adults are vulnerable to strokes; therefore adopting healthier lifestyle habits along with routine check-ups is crucial especially for those at heightened risk levels. “Prevention is undeniably our strongest weapon,” she stated confidently.