Experts in stroke medicine emphasise on timely treatment
The doctors discussed lifestyle-related risks, including poor dietary habits, physical inactivity, and inadequate sleep
Chennai-based stroke medicine expert Sivarajan Thandeswaran has called for certification of Indian hospitals to distinguish them as ‘stroke-ready’ so that people do not waste time in seeking treatment.
“Hospitals in India have to apply for and obtain NABH or JCI certification; instead, a proper government legislation making it mandatory for patients to be taken to and treated at comprehensive stroke centres, as done in the West, will improve stroke care,” said a senior consultant in Stroke Medicine, General Internal Medicine and Gerontology, at Kauvery Hospital in Alwarpet on Wednesday.
He was speaking at a webinar on ‘The Golden Hour: Every Minute Matters, Every Life Counts’, presented by Kauvery Hospital in association with The Hindu to mark World Stroke Day, observed annually on October 29.
He was joined by Harish R. Kamath, consultant neurologist, Kauvery Hosur. The experts stressed on the need for timely access to care as time is the most crucial factor to salvage the brain. Stroke is the second leading cause of death and, therefore, treatment in the window period of 4.5 hours is critical.
Treatment of stroke has transformed tremendously, and families need to be aware, Dr. Thandeswaran added.
In his presentation, Dr. Kamath explained the symptoms of stroke, including loss of balance, blurring vision, facial asymmetry, weakness in arms, and slurring speech. He said 1.8 million new stroke cases are added every year and 7.25 million deaths due to stroke occur every year.
Dr. Thandeswaran said that while big city hospitals have facilities for scanning, imaging, and treatment, including thrombolysis (dissolving blood clots with medicine) and thrombectomy (removing clot through surgery), in remote areas, telemedicine and video calls were being used in identifying stroke patients and transferring them to Comprehensive Stroke Centres, where advanced services and specialist teams are available.
The doctors discussed lifestyle-related risks, including poor dietary habits, physical inactivity, and inadequate sleep.
“People should take ownership of their health through routine check-ups for better treatment outcomes,” Dr. Thandeswaran suggested.
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