Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai proudly launched a MASTER Team (Multidisciplinary Apollo STrokE CuRe) and a Comprehensive Stroke Center with a unique first-time-in-India Stroke network called APOLLO STROKE NET. This Center will cover the entire state of Tamil Nadu – Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchi, Karur, Karaikudi and Nellore. This is probably the first time in the world that a multi city stroke net is being covered by one private healthcare entity.
A stroke also known as brain attack can occur due to a lack of blood supply (ischaemia) or a bleeding (haemorrhage). According to a study on Stroke Epidemiology and Stroke Care Services in India, the prevalence rate of strokes is 84-262 per 1,00,000 population in rural India and 334-424 out of 1,00,000 population in cities. Stroke is the 3rd most common cause of death in the population.
India is in the midst of a stroke epidemic and there are lot of issues associated with it. The average age of individuals affected by stroke is lesser than 40 years in India. Stroke attacks can leave a patient immobile, causes difficulty in communication and vision problems and may leave the patient paralyzed for the rest of his life, if not promptly treated. It is one of the leading causes of death in India next to heart disease and pulmonary hypertension.
Understanding this critical scenario, Apollo Hospitals is setting up a comprehensive care unit in addition to the primary care clinic with advanced treatment and infrastructure. A network of comprehensive stroke centres will be set up that would focus on providing efficient treatment which will further be expanded across the country. This unique initiative is aimed at improving the lives of those who suffer a stroke.
On the occasion, Prathap C Reddy, Chairman of Apollo hospitals said that “The concept of comprehensive care is very successful in the United States and the stroke network is the first-of-its-kind initiative in India. The team consists of eminent Neurologists, Endo vascular surgeons, physiotherapists, stroke nurses and speech therapists. After an ischaemic stroke, the brain is estimated to lose about 19 lakhs neurons every minute (32000 every sec) and to age by 8.7 hours per second (about 36 years per stroke). Hence, it is imperative that treatment especially ‘thrombolytic (clot-busting) therapy’ should be done at the earliest. Thrombolytic therapy cannot be done beyond 4.5 hours. Rapid advances in the recent times enable thrombectomy (clot removal) in select patients only within the early hours after a stroke.”
Apart from the usual risk factors like diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to stroke attacks. However, women become more vulnerable to stroke attacks when they experience pregnancy related diabetes, depression or if they consume birth control pills. Therefore, a regular stroke check up is recommended for women above 50 years. Highlighting lack of awareness among people as a major concern for the rising levels of stroke attacks, Dr. Prathap Reddy further added, “The rising levels of stroke show the lack of awareness among people and the chances of survival are higher if the patient is brought to the hospital within 3-4 hours. However, the symptoms can be identified in four levels (FAST)-facial drooping, arms weakening, speech slurring and time for identification of early stroke. Early diagnosis and effective treatment methods can help preventing adverse effects”.
A documentary film titled “Thuridam” was screened to raise awareness on stroke and how it can be addressed.
