In Bengaluru, India, heart strokes affect 145 individuals for every 1 lakh population each year, with a stroke occurring every 20 seconds. Dr. Sunil V Furtado, HOD and Senior Consultant at the Department of Neurosurgery at Ramaiah Institute of Neurosciences, highlighted the lack of awareness about stroke symptoms, inadequate infrastructure in primary hospitals, and failure to refer cases to comprehensive stroke treatment centers. Only 1% of patients receive standard care, leading to a 30% mortality rate and severe deficits in 30% of cases.
Dr. Sunil emphasized the importance of World Stroke Campaign’s theme this year, which focuses on using sports and physical activity to raise awareness about stroke prevention and rehabilitation. Factors like heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking, alcohol consumption, and a sedentary lifestyle increase the risk of strokes. Active physical activity, quitting smoking, and moderate alcohol consumption can reduce the risk of stroke in 90% of cases.
Medicover Hospital Whitefield observed World Stroke Day on October 29 by launching a Stroke Awareness Programme to unite healthcare professionals, survivors, families, and the community in the fight against strokes. Consultant Neurologist Dr. Poonam C Awatare highlighted the importance of lifestyle adjustments and routine screenings, especially for high-risk individuals, to prevent strokes. Prevention remains the most effective defense against strokes, which can occur at any time and location and are highly treatable if addressed promptly as a neuro-emergency.
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