Beating stroke starts with awareness, timely medical intervention, says doctor

Timely recognition and rapid treatment of stroke can make a major difference between a full recovery and lifelong disability, says Dr Sebastian, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Christian Medical College and Hospital.

Recognising stroke: Every minute counts

One of the biggest barriers to successful stroke care remains public awareness. Far too often, warning signs like sudden weakness of one side, speech disturbance or facial droop are missed or dismissed. Early detection is everything: each minute of delay results in lost brain cells and lost opportunity for recovery. The sooner the symptoms are identified, the better we can act.

Advanced treatments at stroke-ready centres

When a patient with suspected stroke arrives, our team is prepared to deliver advanced care. At CMC Ludhiana, we are equipped to administer clot-busting medications (thrombolysis) that can rapidly dissolve blockages when given timely. In select cases, newer endovascular techniques (EVT) allow us to remove the clot directly from the artery and restore blood flow. Both treatments are highly time-sensitive; delays can permanently limit their effectiveness.

Rehabilitation: The forgotten phase

Recovery doesn’t end with acute care. Stroke rehabilitation, including neurophysiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy, are crucial for helping patients regain independence. Unfortunately, this part of stroke care is often underemphasised. The right rehabilitation plan, led by a multidisciplinary team approach can maximise recovery and bring out the best outcomes in our patients.

Prevention: Control what you can

Prevention starts with awareness and regular health checks. Stroke is no longer only a disease of the elderly; the younger population is seeing a rising incidence, with high blood pressure being a major contributor. Keeping blood pressure, sugar levels and cholesterol in check, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and understanding personal risk factors are steps anyone can take. Know your risks and take active steps to protect your brain health. Small changes today can prevent tomorrow.

Moving forward: Empowering communities

The true strength in battling stroke lies in empowering communities with knowledge and resources. The World Stroke Organization (WSO) is the single largest global organisation focused solely on stroke care and plays a vital role in this mission. As a member of the WSO Board of Directors and a collaborator with the WHO’s Southeast Asia Regional Office, I am actively involved in developing strategies that address our region’s unique stroke challenges and to improve stroke prevention, timely treatment and rehabilitation systems across India and Southeast Asia.

“As stroke becomes increasingly common in younger populations across India, especially with rising rates of high blood pressure, it is vital that we combine global expertise with local action—through organisations like the WSO—to improve awareness, ensure timely treatment and build stronger care systems tailored to our region’s unique needs.”

There is hope after stroke; it is only by working hand in hand—through education, timely care and rehabilitation—that we can be greater than stroke.