2 million stroke cases occur every year worldwide: Dr. Yanish Bhanot

Amritsar, February 20, 2024:  To create awareness on ‘Rising trend of brain stroke and advances in neuro interventions’., a team of doctors from Ivy Hospital Amritsar addressed the media today. Present on the occasion were Dr Yanish Bhanot senior consultant neurosurgery, Dr Sarabjit Singh and & Dr Jagbir Singh both consultant neurology at Ivy Hospital Amritsar.

Addressing the media person Dr Yanish Bhanot said “Stroke is emerging as the new epidemic Worldwide with 1.5 to 2.0 million new stroke cases being reported across the Globe every year. The actual numbers are bound to be higher, as many of these patients never reach health care facilities. Everyday around 3000-4000 stroke happen in India and not more than 2-3% are treated. Worldwide incidence rate of stroke in 60-100 cases per 100,000 population per year, whereas in India it is close to 145-145 cases per 100,000/year. India accounts for 60 % of all stroke patients Globally. The reason for increased incidence in India is lack of awareness about the disease per se and the methods of prevention. He also shared that Stokes are responsible for more deaths annually than those attributed to AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria combined and yet it remains a silent epidemic.

Speaking to the media on this occasion Dr Sarabjit Singh said Stroke is of two types: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic stroke means that the blood supply to a portion of the brain is cut off due to a clot with resulting brain damage. It is similar to heart attack where blood supply to a part of the heart is blocked and that’s why it is also called brain attack. The other type is hemorrhagic in which there is bleeding in the brain. On This occasion Ivy Hospital also launched stroke helpline number - 9988749494.He also apprised that now Ivy Hospital is now running the largest STROKE Ready Hospital Chain in entire Punjab.

Treatment of ischemic stroke is done by intravenous injection of a drug which can dissolve the clot. Although it is an excellent treatment, but it is effective only if the clot is small and if given within 4 and a half hours of the beginning of stroke. Earlier patients reaching after 4-5 hours had no definite treatment options and were managed conservatively with supportive care.