BENGALURU: Dr Sunil V Furtado, HOD and Senior Consultant at the Department of Neurosurgery at Ramaiah Institute of Neurosciences, highlighted the alarming statistics surrounding strokes in India, with 145 individuals affected per 1 lakh population each year. He emphasized the lack of awareness of stroke symptoms, inadequate infrastructure in primary hospitals, and the need for prompt referral to comprehensive stroke treatment centers.
Dr Sunil noted that only 1% of stroke patients receive the standard of care, resulting in high mortality rates and severe deficits among survivors. To address this issue, he mentioned the World Stroke Campaign’s focus on leveraging the emotional power of sports and physical activity to raise awareness and promote prevention and rehabilitation.
The risk factors for stroke, such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking, alcohol consumption, and a sedentary lifestyle, were also discussed by Dr Sunil. He emphasized the importance of active physical activity, smoking cessation, and moderation in alcohol consumption to reduce the risk of stroke in 90% of cases.
Medicover Hospital Whitefield marked World Stroke Day on October 29 by launching a Stroke Awareness Programme, bringing together healthcare professionals, survivors, families, and the community to combat stroke. Consultant Neurologist Dr Poonam C Awatare stressed the importance of lifestyle adjustments and routine screenings, especially for high-risk individuals, in preventing strokes.
With strokes affecting individuals of all ages, prevention remains the most effective defense against this potentially deadly condition.
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