Every 20 seconds, or three times every minute, an Indian has a stroke. This number is continuously increasing owing to changing lifestyles. A stroke affects around 1.54 million people in our country each year. The worst part is that 90 percent of stroke sufferers do not reach to the hospital on time.
According to Dr Ranjit Jagtap News, a stroke can happen to anybody, at anytime and anywhere. When a blood artery carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or breaks, it causes stroke (or ruptures). When this happens, a portion of the brain lacks the blood and oxygen it requires.
What are the different types of stroke?
When the blood flow to the brain reduces or blocks then strokes takes place. A person who has had a stroke needs rapid medical attention. There are three types of strokes:
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Ischemic stroke
This accounts for around 87 percent of all instances.
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Stroke with haemorrhage
When a blood vessel ruptures, stroke haemorrhage can happen. The most common causes of stroke haemorrhage are aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations.
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Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
It is a condition in which blood supply to a portion of the brain is reduced for a short period of time. The symptoms go away without therapy.
Risk factors and prevention
There are a number of recognised risk factors that raise the likelihood of having a stroke, as well as a number of activities that may be taken to lower the risk of having a stroke.
- High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and heart disease are all risk factors.
- Reduced blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as diabetes management, require a balanced diet and adequate exercise. If your doctor recommends medicine for any of these diseases, it’s critical that you take it as advised to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.
- If you smoke, you must quit. Smoking has a number of negative consequences on the body. This includes narrowing blood arteries and increasing the risk of blood clots, which are the cause of the vast majority of strokes.
- Sleep apnea, a disorder in which the body’s air supply is interrupts while sleeping. It is also a known risk factor for stroke. You should go see a doctor if you suspect any sign of sleep apnea.
- Biological risk factors include having previously experienced a stroke. This includes having a family history of stroke, and being over 55 years old. Stroke is more common in men than in women, and African Americans have a higher risk than the general population.
“We can reduce our risk of stroke by adopting and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, just as we can reduce our risk of heart disease,” says Dr Ranjit Jagtap, a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Taking medications as directed, maintaining a healthy blood pressure, seeing your doctor on a regular basis, and eating a balanced, healthy diet can all help minimise your risk of stroke. Patients with sleep apnea who don’t use their CPAP at night or persons with untreated sleep apnea are two stroke risk factors that people experience frequently.
Conclusion
Stroke is a complicated medical condition, and every minute matter when it comes to stroke treatment. Early recognition of stroke symptoms, treatment as a medical emergency requiring admission to a dedicated stroke unit, as well as access to sophisticated medical care can all help to improve outcomes.
Dr Ranjit Jagtap Clinic provides a comprehensive stroke treatment programme for acute and chronic stroke patients, as well as the most expedient emergency care. Using cutting-edge technology skills, the multidisciplinary team of professionals assists in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of stroke victims.
