Stroke

A stroke happens when blood supply to part of the brain is cut off — either by a clot (ischaemic stroke, ~85%) or by a bleed (haemorrhagic stroke). Brain tissue starts dying within minutes. Time is brain — the sooner treatment starts, the more function is saved.

Recognise a stroke — FAST

• F — Face: one side droops when the person smiles.
• A — Arm: one arm falls when both are raised.
• S — Speech: slurred, garbled or the person can't find words.
• T — Time: dial 112 now. Note the exact time symptoms started — it decides which treatments can be given.

Other symptoms

• Sudden numbness on one side of the body.
• Sudden severe headache ("worst ever") — more common with bleeds.
• Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes.
• Sudden dizziness, loss of balance, trouble walking.
• Sudden confusion.

What happens at hospital

• CT/MRI scan — to see whether it's a clot or a bleed.
• Ischaemic stroke (clot): clot-busting drugs can work if given within a few hours of symptom onset. Mechanical clot removal (thrombectomy) for large clots, available at stroke-capable centres in most large Indian cities.
• Haemorrhagic stroke (bleed): controlling blood pressure and reducing pressure in the brain; sometimes surgery.

Major risk factors

• High blood pressure — the single biggest cause.
• Diabetes.
• Smoking, including bidi and hookah.
• Atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm).
• High cholesterol.
• Obesity, sedentary lifestyle.
• Heavy alcohol use.
• Previous TIA ("mini-stroke") — a major warning sign.

India context and myth-correction

Strokes in India are happening at younger ages than in the West. Delay is the biggest killer — because of belief that symptoms might "pass," or that unproven herbal drops, pressure on fingers, or "stroke emergency kits" can stop the damage. None of those work. Dial 112 and get to a stroke-ready hospital.

After a stroke — recovery

Physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy can recover substantial function; most gains happen in the first 3-6 months but continue beyond. Cardiac and stroke rehab programmes are increasingly available. Controlling BP, diabetes and cholesterol — and taking prescribed medicines every day — dramatically lowers the chance of a second stroke.