Concern over rising stroke cases

BHUBANESWAR: World Wide Stroke (brain attack) is the commonest cause of mortality after coronary artery disease and it is the commonest cause of chronic disability, opined health experts.Inaugurating a Special Stroke Clinic at AMRI Hospitals, Senior Consultant in Neurology Prof RN Sahoo said life time risk of stroke after 55 years of age is one in five for women and one in six for men. “More than 4/5th of stroke occur in developing countries. But currently stroke incidence in India is much higher than western countries because of poor public awareness.

Most patients do not get proper treatment due to lack of infrastructure. Early detection and treatment is necessary for better results. Basic stroke can be treated through Thrombolysis,” he said. AMRI Hospitals has a dedicated stroke unit with state-of-the-art advanced equipment.Senior Neurology Consultant Dr LD Padhi said the treatment team regularly thrombolise stroke cases in window period (within 4 to 5 hours of arrest) and the treatment gives rise to the possibility of complete recovery.

“We have a dedicated team including emergency physician, round the clock neurologist, well trained nursing staff and neuro rehabilitation staff for stroke care at AMRI. The hospital is planning to develop Neuro intervention facilities for stroke patients beyond window period, shortly,” he added. Unit Head and vice-president Vivek Lal was present on the occasion.