World Stroke Day: Early Signs, Emergency Response & Recovery - Dr Daanish A Chhapra

Every year, millions of people across the world are affected by stroke — a sudden interruption in blood flow to the brain that can cause lasting disability or even death. As a neurologist, I often tell my patients that time is brain.

Every passing minute during a stroke leads to the loss of millions of brain cells. Recognizing the early warning signs and acting immediately can make the difference between recovery and irreversible damage.

Recognizing the Early Signs

The signs of stroke usually come on suddenly and without warning. One of the easiest ways to remember them is through the acronym F.A.S.T.:

● F – Face drooping: One side of the face may appear numb or droop when smiling.

● A – Arm weakness: The person may be unable to raise one arm or may feel sudden weakness on one side.

● S – Speech difficulty: Slurred or incoherent speech, or trouble understanding simple sentences, can signal a stroke.

● T – Time to act: If you notice any of these symptoms, call emergency services immediately.

In addition to these signs, a person may experience sudden loss of balance, blurred vision, dizziness, confusion, or a severe headache without a known cause.

Even if the symptoms last only a few minutes, it could be a transient ischemic attack (TIA), or a “mini-stroke,” which serves as an important warning sign for a possible major stroke.

Emergency Response:

All strokes are considered medical emergencies and patients are more likely to improve with faster access to a hospital capable of treating stroke. Ideally, a patient should be brought to a hospital as soon as possible within the 'golden window' of 4.5 hours, when thrombolysis can successfully be used to restore the blood flow to their brain.

If a great artery is blocked, a mechanical thrombectomy (minimally intrusive surgical removal of the clot) can be performed up to six hours (or more depending on circumstances). A CT scan or MRI should be performed quickly to reach such a diagnosis and to determine the type of stroke and the treatment.

Patients lose critical time because the symptoms were not recognized as a stroke and they did not go to the hospital. If one thinks a stroke occurred, seek help now. Avoid waiting for symptoms to improve by themselves.

Recovery and Rehabilitation:

When the patient is stable, rehabilitation is important too. Strokes often require the patient to regain physical strength, mobility and independence. Physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, with psychological support, are all important components.

Family involvement is too. Family members encourage the patient. They show patience so the patient develops self-confidence during recovery.

Preventing recurrence is as important. Controlling blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol levels and exposure to risk factors such as smoking and inactivity has reduced recurrence rates. Diet, regular exercise, and regular check-ups all contribute to lowering the risk of stroke.

In Conclusion:

On this World Stroke Day, let us remember that awareness, quick response, and consistent rehabilitation are key to improving outcomes. Stroke is a medical emergency but with timely action and the right care, it is possible not just to survive, but to recover and lead a fulfilling life.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and not of Health Dialogues. The Editorial/Content team of Health Dialogues has not contributed to the writing/editing/packaging of this article.