Brain stroke emerging new epidemic globally: Expert

“Brain stroke is emerging as the new epidemic worldwide with 1.5 to 2 million new stroke cases being reported across India every year. The actual numbers are bound to be higher, as many of these patients never reach healthcare facilities. Every day, around 3,000-4,000 strokes take place in the country and not more than 2-3 per cent are treated.”

This was stated by Dr Vineet Saggar, director and neurointerventional surgeon at Livasa Hospital while addressing the media persons here on Friday. Dr Saggar said that the worldwide incidence of stroke was 60-100 cases per 100,000 persons per year, whereas in India it was close to 145-145 cases per 100,000 population per year. India accounts for 60 per cent of all stroke patients globally, he said.

Dr Saggar further said that the reason for increased incidence in India is lack of awareness about the disease and the methods of prevention. It remains a silent epidemic and patients should be rushed at the earliest to the nearest treatment centre.

For a hospital to have comprehensive stroke care, a multidisciplinary team of emergency physicians, neurologists, interventional neuro-radiologists, neurosurgeons, anaesthetists and critical care physicians is a must, asserted Dr Pradeep Sharma, a neurologist.

Meanwhile, a stroke helpline number 9988823456 was also launched on the occasion.