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Stroke: Risk Factors, Recognise the Warning Signs & Save Lives

Feb 14 , 2025 | 2 min read

A stroke, often referred to as a brain attack, is a life-threatening event where part of the brain is deprived of oxygen and essential energy. Strokes can be classified as ischemic, which occurs due to a clot blocking an artery in the brain, leading to brain damage. Alternatively, a stroke can be hemorrhagic, resulting from a tear in an artery wall causing bleeding in the brain. Ischemic strokes account for nearly 80% of all strokes.

The Burden of Stroke

Stroke is a significant public health concern. According to the World Health Organisation, one in six people will experience a stroke in their lifetime. Every two seconds, someone in the world suffers a stroke, and every six seconds, someone dies from it. Stroke is the second leading cause of death in people over 60 years old and the most common cause of disability, with nearly 70% of survivors remaining vocationally impaired. As populations age, the burden of stroke will grow, requiring more resources to care for an increasing number of stroke patients and survivors.

Risk Factors for Stroke

Common stroke risk factors include hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, smoking, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, and obesity. Smoking and alcohol consumption are significant stroke risk factors for men under 50 years old.

How to Recognise a Stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency, and quick action is crucial. The phrase "Time is Brain" highlights the importance of acting fast. Recognising early warning symptoms is vital:

Sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg, particularly on one side of the body
Sudden loss of vision, especially in one eye
Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech
Sudden severe headache
Sudden confusion
Sudden dizziness, unsteadiness, or falls

BE FAST: A quick screening tool for recognising the warning signs of stroke:

B = Balance loss
E = Eyesight change
F = Facial drooping
A = Arm weakness
S = Speech slurring
T = Time since onset

What to do When a Stroke Occurs

Treatment for brain stroke is a race against time. It’s critical to get to a hospital immediately. The first 4.5 hours since the onset of a stroke are crucial for saving brain tissue, so it is important to ACT FAST.

How is Stroke Treated?

At Max Super Speciality Hospital, Noida, patients presenting with acute stroke are quickly attended to by a dedicated stroke team. This team prioritises brain imaging and intravenous thrombolysis (clot-busting treatment) within the first 4.5 hours for eligible patients. While this treatment carries a small risk of brain haemorrhage, its benefits far outweigh the risks. Our personal experience with timely clot-busting treatment has been very positive.

What is Mechanical Thrombectomy?

For patients with a large vessel blockage in the brain, mechanical thrombectomy (clot removal) can be life-saving when performed within the first 6 hours of stroke onset. This procedure involves using a catheter and guidewire to remove the clot from the brain.

Why is Clot-Busting Treatment Underutilised?

One of the main reasons for the underutilisation of intravenous thrombolysis (clot-busting treatment) is the lack of public awareness regarding the early warning signs of stroke, coupled with delays in seeking medical help.

What Can You do?

At home, recognising the warning signs of a stroke and quickly getting to a hospital equipped to manage strokes is crucial. Hospitals must ensure fast-track assessment and evaluation, followed by clot-busting treatment within the 4.5-hour window. Early intervention can significantly improve recovery outcomes. So, when it comes to stroke: Think Fast and Be Fast.

At Max Super Speciality Hospital, Noida, we are committed to reducing delays in stroke thrombolysis by raising awareness at the community level and ensuring fast-track management at the hospital level.