Stroke is the second most common cause of death worldwide, preceded only by heart disease, and the third most common cause of disability worldwide.
Cerebral stroke: A stroke or stroke is a medical emergency that occurs due to sudden rupture or blockage of blood vessels in the brain. When the blood supply to the brain tissues stops and does not receive adequate oxygen and nutrition, the tissue dies and a stroke occurs. Dr Sudhir Gore, Head-Trauma and Emergency Services, Fortis Hospital, Kalyan, reveals that people with medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, advanced age and dyslipidaemia, and people addicted to alcohol, tobacco or smoking have increased career risk. The doctor further emphasizes the importance of the golden hour in managing stroke in patients.
SYMPTOMS OF CEREBRAL STROKE TO BE CONSIDERED
according to him American Heart Association stroke is simplified as a powerful four-letter word FAST:
- F: Facial drooping – Drooping on one side of the face or a sudden jagged smile may be an indicator of a stroke
- A: Arm weakness – have one person hold both arms up and let them drop simultaneously. Look to see if one arm lowers slowly or cannot be raised.
- S: Difficulty in speech: if someone speaks slurred or confused.
- T: Time: Call for medical help at the right time, arrive at the hospital within 4.5 hours after the onset of symptoms.
Other symptoms to watch for include difficulty speaking or interpreting speech, difficulty maintaining balance when walking, and difficulty seeing one or both sides of the eyes.
EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF STROKE AND GOLDEN HOUR TREATMENT
There is a concept of the golden period in stroke, that is, by the time the patient has stroke symptoms, we have a window of a maximum of 4.5 hours. If the patient receives treatment within these hours, the complications and severity of the stroke can be reduced. Did you know that getting to a hospital where a 24/7 brain CT scan is available is the most crucial step in treating a stroke patient?
If the diagnosis from the CT scan report indicates that there are no visible signs of bleeding, an anticoagulant medication may be used to dissolve the clot. Stroke is usually the deadliest condition, but thanks to modern and advanced medical technology, it is possible to save lives by treating the condition early and giving patients a better quality of life. Therefore, it is crucial to arrive at the hospital during the golden period of 4.5 hours.
Up to 30% of patients receiving this anticoagulant drug do not improve because they have large strokes or large vessel occlusion (LVO). A neuroradiologist can access the arteries of the brain and remove the clot using the suction procedure. It is crucial to realize that anticoagulant medications will not work if given more than 4.5 hours after the stroke occurs.
It is important to recognize the symptoms of stroke and take the patient to hospitals equipped to treat stroke patients as soon as possible.
