Brain - I too have golden hour!

adminStroke, Top Neurosurgeon in Bangalore

A brain stroke, also known as a brain attack, occurs when the supply of blood to the brain is reduced or stopped. This condition is similar to a heart attack. What happens here? Due to blockage inside vessel   there will be stoppage of blood and oxygen  reaching the brain.

The most common symptoms of brain stroke are facial weakness, arm and leg weakness, speech dysfunction, blurring of vision, and imbalance while walking. What risk factors are make brain  predisposes to stroke? hypertension, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, obesity, ischemic heart disease, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Brain too has GOLDEN HOUR like  heart!?

Brain stroke is like a heart attack. What one will do if suddenly develops chest pain ? People will reach the hospital as early as possible , get ECG and ECHO and will take opinion of cardiologist. Am I saying correct?  Dear people – Brain attack is similar to heart attack. If warning signs are recognised soon and  person reach the hospital in GOLDEN HOUR   complications that arise from brain stroke can be prevented or minimise the disability that can arise from stroke.

Dear all Let us know -How brain stroke happens?

Let us imagine heart -The heart pumps blood into the brain through blood vessels or channels called carotid arteries, which include right and left carotids. If there is a lack of supply or blockage to one side of the brain, it causes brain stroke. During a brain stroke, 1.9 million neurons die every minute due to lack of blood supply and if not treated immediately. What that means – that means the important centres of brain can get damaged parmanently.

Based on damage happens to brain -What all of us should know is Brain stroke is classified into mini-stroke and major stroke. This  Mini stroke is also known as TIA-Transient ischemic attack- we will see usually improve within 24 hours.  On contrast what happens in major stroke is – A person affected with a major stroke will take time to get better and the weakness or neurological deficits persists for a longer duration. Which results what happens? person may  become permanently disabled.

What is this  golden hour?

When brain stroke happens – we should take the patient to the stroke care hospital or seek immediate medication, within the golden period.  3.5 hours to 7.2 hours after the person has suffered a brain stroke is golden hour. The clot-bursting medication and mechanical thrombectomy if happens within this period blood circulation re-establishes. Why is is called golden hour?

After blood circulation re establishes – brain previously affected get blood circulation and nutrition and no of  neuronal death will reduce. This is possible by stent retrievers, it is a basket like device. Procedure is called Mechnical Thrombectomy.

Mechanical thrombectomy is a new modality of interventional stroke treatment, where mechanical force is applied to remove the clot by aspiration or by approaching through a basket-like device (stent retriever).

Treatment

In recent years, comprehensive stroke treatment units are helping people who are affected by stroke and maximum recovery is recorded. A comprehensive stroke unit or team consists of an emergency physician, a neurosurgeon, a neurologist, a neuroendovascular surgeon / interventional neuroradiologist, a neuro intensivist, a neuroradiologist, a neuro anesthetist and a physiotherapist.

Before Advanced Stroke treatment in Bangalore or endovascular stroke treatment came into the picture, what we were doing ?  the conservative treatment was only the option. It used showed many cases where the patients were suffered or lost their lives. The tendency to develop permanent weakness in the hands and legs, speech dysfunction, persistent vegetative state, high morbidities like the high probability of self-dependency on wheelchair or stretcher, dependence on family for a prolonged time, development of bedsore and sepsis, and death were more common in the conservative brain stroke treatment methods. If any patient comes after the golden hour period, the right treatment cannot be started.

On seeing symptoms like facial weakness, arm or leg weakness, speech dysfunction to name a few, the patient should be rushed to the hospital immediately without any delay, since every second count.

Hence remember and create the stroke awareness

FAST

FACIAL WEAKNESS

ARM WEAKNESS

SPEECH DYSFUNCTION

TIME TO REACH STROKE CARE CENTRE.

RISK FACTORS OF STROKE

What you should know about Blood thinners used in stroke?

adminStroke

What you should know about common blood thinners used in brain stroke?

Medications that thin the blood can help you avoid a stroke caused by a clot (ischaemic stroke). This drug may be prescribed to you after a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA) to help you avoid another stroke. If you have a health condition like heart trouble or a blood-clotting illness that could lead to a stroke, you may need blood-thinning medicine.

This medical information can assist you in discussing your options with your doctor. If you have any medication-related questions, you should consult your doctor, as a guide can only provide broad information.

Ganesh

Dr. Ganesh Veerabhadraiah

Consultant – Neurosurgeon, Neurointerventional Surgery, Spine Surgeon (Neuro)
23+ Years Experience Overall (17+ years as Neuro Specialist)

Available for Consultation: Jayanagar 9th Block & Kauvery Hospital, Electronic City 

Book An Appointment

What are blood-thinning medications?

Blood thinners like double edged sword. If their action is less blood clots , if too much action it can cause bleed in the brain. They function in different ways to prevent blood clots from developing. They alter the function of several blood cells and proteins.

This information pertains to a stroke-prevention drug.

Why are they used?

One of the most important methods to lower your risk of stroke is to take this medicine. If you’ve already had a stroke or have a health condition that puts you at risk of having one, it can help.

A stroke caused by a bleed.

Approximately 15% of strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain. A hemorrhagic stroke is a medical term for this. Blood-thinning medications can either increase or worsen the risk of this type of bleeding.

what are the Common blood thinners and their side effects-

Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin): Aspirin has been used for a long time. It inhibits platelet aggregation, which means it prevents tiny cells from clumping together.

Although aspirin can help prevent secondary strokes, it is not advised as a preventative medication since the risks of bleeding and other side effects exceed the benefits for persons who have never had a stroke. Aspirin should only be used in extremely particular circumstances and under the care of a doctor, according to new guidelines.

Bleeding is a common side effect

Coumadin (warfarin): It is a blood thinner that blocks vitamin K’s action, which is required for healthy blood coagulation.

Coumadin is often prescribed for individuals with cardiac abnormalities that could lead to stroke, such as heart valve replacement, to assist avoid recurrent stroke.

Because an overdose of Coumadin can cause significant bleeding anywhere in the body, its action must be closely monitored with a blood test called the International Normalized Ratio (INR). Coumadin patients must be cautious since falls can result in significant, life-threatening bleeding.

Clopidogrel (Plavix): It is a blood thinner that affects platelet function. It is frequently used for stroke prevention, but it has a number of adverse effects, including bleeding, a low white blood cell count, and a rare condition known as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, which is characterized by microscopic blood clots.

Aggrenox (aspirin and dipyridamole): It reduces the risk of stroke by combining aspirin with dipyridamole, a blood thinner that slows platelet activity by blocking enzymes associated with platelets. Bleeding, bruising, and headaches are all possible side effects.

Pradaxa (dabigatran): It is a blood thinner that prevents blood clotting by inhibiting the enzyme thrombin. This medicine has been shown to lower the risk of stroke in people with atrial fibrillation, but it can also induce bleeding and interfere with wound healing.

Eliquis (apixaban): It is a blood thinner that works by preventing thrombin from being activated. It’s been approved to prevent strokes in people who have atrial fibrillation that isn’t caused by a heart valve condition.  It raises the risk of bleeding, just like other blood thinners.

Xarelto (rivaroxaban): It is a blood thinner that works by interfering with two separate phases in the clotting cascade to prevent blot clot formation. Xarelto is licensed for stroke prevention in adults with atrial fibrillation and only needs to be taken once a day.  It can cause bruising and bleeding, just like other blood thinners.

Why are blood thinners used in stroke?

Following a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or an ischemic stroke, many patients are offered anticoagulants or antiplatelet medicines to avoid blood clots. The two most typically recommended blood thinners for stroke patients are antiplatelet and anticoagulation medicines. These drugs work by interfering with the blood’s natural clotting ability. Platelets are small cells that travel through our bloodstream. The ordinary individual may bleed a little after a cut, but due to the aforementioned platelets attaching to one another, the rate of bloodletting will slow down rather rapidly.

Clotting is defined as the phenomenon of platelets adhering to one another. Antiplatelets (also known as platelet aggregation inhibitors) disrupt the clotting process, reducing the likelihood of potentially hazardous blood clots developing. Aspirin, dipyridamole, clopidogrel, or one of the above combined with aspirin, a headache drug with antiplatelet qualities, are some of the most common antiplatelet pharmaceuticals now available.

Risks:

Stroke survivors who are at risk of deadly blood clots are frequently taken blood thinners. Unfortunately, the blood thinners used to avoid such clots might raise the risk of brain bleeding, which can lead to hemorrhagic stroke. In addition, several common blood thinners may interact with other over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and prescriptions, lowering their effectiveness and potentially causing hazardous adverse effects.

Summary:

Blood thinners like double edged sword  are among the most basic drugs, yet they also present some of the most challenging choices in stroke treatment. While they have been shown to decrease stroke, the danger of bleeding can create difficulties ranging from poor wound healing to tiny areas of bruising to life-threatening hemorrhage.

The decision about whether or not to take a blood thinner should be made in cooperation with your doctor, who will assess your stroke risk as well as your bleeding risk.

Neurowellness provide high quality Advanced Stroke treatment in Bangalore at affordable cost in comparison with the other medical treatment options world wide.

Concerned about stroke recovery or managing medications? Book your consultation today with our expert neurosurgeon.

FAQs

1. When are blood thinners prescribed after a stroke?

Blood thinners are typically prescribed after an ischemic stroke to prevent blood clots. A neurologist will assess your condition and decide the right timing and dosage.

2. What are the risks of taking blood thinners after a stroke?

Risks may include bleeding complications, especially in people with uncontrolled hypertension or a history of internal bleeding. Regular monitoring is essential.

3. Can I stop blood thinners once I recover from stroke symptoms?

You should never stop blood thinners without medical guidance. Your doctor will determine the duration based on your recovery and risk profile.

What are the risk factors of stroke we should know?

adminNeurosurgeon Bangalore, Stroke, What are the risk factors of stroke we should know?

A stroke can happen to anyone — at any age — and often without warning. But in most cases, it can be prevented.
At Neurowellness Bangalore, our neurosurgeons emphasize that knowing your risk factors early can make the difference between recovery and lifelong disability.

A stroke can However, if you have specific risk factors, your chances of having a stroke increase. Some risk factors of stroke can be altered or managed, while others cannot. Today, an increasing number of people are putting their most valuable asset their brains under protection. Are you one of them?

What Is a Stroke?

A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die.
There are two main types:

TypeDescriptionTreatment Approach
Ischemic StrokeCaused by blockage in an artery (≈ 85 % of cases)Clot-dissolving drugs, stenting
Hemorrhagic StrokeCaused by bleeding within the brainSurgery, blood-pressure control

What are the risk factors of stroke that cannot be modified

1. A previous stroke or pre-existing cardiovascular disease such as a heart attack.

2. Age: 60 years old or older.

3. Family history: Members in the family that have suffered a stroke

4. Gender: Males are at a higher risk than females.

5. Race: Black, Asian, and Hispanic

6. Sickle cell disease, polycythemia, protein C/S deficiency, hyperhomocysteinemia, etc., are blood diseases that cause excessive clotting.

7. Mitral stenosis (a type of valvular disease)

8. Genetics or heredity: People with a family history of stroke have a higher risk of having a stroke.

What are the risk factors of stroke that can be modified

Risk factors of stroke that can be altered, treated, or controlled medically include

1.High blood pressure: persistent Blood pressure of 140/90 or above can cause damage to the brain’s blood vessels (arteries).

2. Heart disease: There is a strong association between heart disease and stroke. Several types of cardiac disease are known to increase the risk of stroke. Stroke, like coronary heart disease, is a risk factor. Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) increases the risk of stroke in people with coronary heart disease, angina, or who have had a heart attack.

3. Diabetes: Control your blood sugar if you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for stroke on its own. Many diabetics also have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and are overweight, all of which increase their risk. Even though diabetes is curable, it still raises your risk of stroke.

4. Smoking: Cigarette smoke contains nicotine and carbon monoxide, which harms the cardiovascular system and increases the risk of stroke. When birth control tablets are taken with cigarette smoking, the risk of stroke is considerably increased.

5. History of TIAs:  Mini-strokes is a term used to describe TIAs. The symptoms are similar to those of a stroke, although they don’t stay as long. You’re almost ten times more likely to suffer a stroke if you’ve had one or more TIAs than someone your age and sex who hasn’t.

6. High red blood cell count: The blood thickens and clots are more likely when the quantity of red blood cells increases significantly. This increases the chances of having a stroke.

7. High blood cholesterol and lipids: High cholesterol levels can contribute to artery thickening or hardening (atherosclerosis), which is caused by plaque buildup. Plaque is a buildup of fatty substances, cholesterol, and calcium in the arteries. The amount of blood flow to the brain can be reduced by plaque accumulation on the inside of the arterial walls. When the brain’s blood supply is cut off, a stroke develops.

8. Lack of physical activity

9. Obesity

10. Excessive alcohol consumption: Blood pressure rises if you drink more than two drinks every day. Stroke can occur as a result of binge drinking.

11. illegal drugs: Abuse of intravenous (IV) drugs increases the risk of a stroke due to blood clots (cerebral embolisms). Cocaine and other narcotics have been linked to heart attacks, strokes, and a variety of other cardiovascular issues.

12. Abnormal heart rhythm: Some types of heart disease can increase your chances of having a stroke. The most potent and modifiable heart risk factor for stroke is having an abnormal heartbeat (atrial fibrillation).

13. Cardiac structural abnormalities: Long-term (chronic) heart damage can be caused by damaged heart valves (valvular heart disease). This can increase your risk of stroke over time.

Other risk factors of the stroke to consider are:

Where you reside: Strokes are more common in the southeast than in other parts of the country. This could be due to variances in lifestyle, race, smoking habits, and diet between regions.

Temperature, season, and climate:  Stroke deaths are more common during periods of excessive heat.

Social and economic factors: Strokes are more likely in low-income people, according to some studies.

Neurowellness provides high-quality Advanced Stroke treatment in Bangalore at an affordable cost in comparison with the other medical treatment options worldwide.

Ganesh

Dr. Ganesh Veerabhadraiah

Consultant – Neurosurgeon, Neurointerventional Surgery, Spine Surgeon (Neuro)
23+ Years Experience Overall (17+ years as Neuro Specialist)

Available for Consultation: Jayanagar 9th Block & Kauvery Hospital, Electronic City 

Book An Appointment

Don’t Wait for Warning Signs

At the First Sign of Stroke, Every Minute Counts

Neurowellness Bangalore offers 24×7 neuro-emergency and stroke rehabilitation services with advanced imaging and AI-assisted monitoring.

Book An Appointment

FAQs

1. Can stress cause a stroke?

Chronic stress raises blood pressure and inflammation, both of which heighten stroke risk.

2. What age group is most at risk?

While older adults are more vulnerable, strokes are rising among people aged 35–50 due to poor lifestyle habits.

3. Can AI really predict strokes?

Yes. Machine-learning models analyze health data to identify early patterns of vascular instability.

4. How can I reduce my risk today?

Control BP, quit smoking, exercise daily, and schedule yearly health check-ups.

What facts you should know about brain stroke?

adminBest neurology hospitals in bangalore, Advanced Stroke treatment in Bangalore, Stroke

What is a brain stroke?

A stroke, also known as a brain attack, occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted(Ischemic stroke) or blood leaks out of the vessels(Haemorrhagic stroke). It’s a life-or-death situation. Parts of the brain are injured or die in both cases. A stroke can result in long-term brain damage, disability, or even death.

To function properly, the brain requires a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients. Even if the blood flow is interrupted for a brief period of time, this can cause issues. Without blood or oxygen, brain cells begin to die after only a few minutes.

Brain function is lost when brain cells die. It’s possible that you won’t be able to do tasks that require the particular section of your brain affected by stroke, resulting in paralysis, vision and speech issues, cognitive challenges, and personality changes, depending on which part of the brain is affected.

Brain Stroke statistics:

Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death globally. Individuals and their families might be devastated by a stroke, which takes away their freedom. Adult disability is most commonly caused by this condition. Approximately 795,000 Americans have a stroke each year, with approximately 160,000 dying as a result of stroke-related causes. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is dedicated to lowering this burden via biomedical research.

In this blog, you will be learning about various facts related to a brain stroke that you may haven’t  know before! These could save a life and may help you in gathering information as well.

What International studies says-

Facts that you need to know about a brain stroke. These are as follows:

Stroke was responsible for one out of every six deaths caused by cardiovascular disease in 2018.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States gets a stroke. A stroke kills someone every 4 minutes.

A stroke affects more than 795,000 people in the United States each year. The first or new strokes account for around 6,10,000 of these.

A total of 185,000 strokes occur in people who have already had a stroke, accounting for approximately one-fourth of all strokes.

Ischemic strokes, in which blood flow to the brain is blocked, account for about 87 percent of all strokes.

Between 2014 and 2015, the cost of stroke in the United States was nearly $46 billion. This figure includes the cost of health-care services, stroke-treatment medications, and lost workdays.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of long-term disability. More than half of stroke survivors aged 65 and up lose mobility as a result of their stroke.

Women account for more than half of all stroke deaths.

Men are more likely to suffer strokes, but women are more likely to die from them.

Every year 700,000 people have a new or recurrent stroke.

Because there are around 4.7 million stroke survivors alive today, stroke is the primary cause of serious, long-term impairment.

The annual healthcare expenses spent on heart disease and cancer combined are less than the annual healthcare dollars spent on stroke therapy.

Over the age of 65, nearly three-quarters of all strokes occur, and the chance of having a stroke more than doubles every decade after the age of 55.

Every year, stroke kills twice as many women as breast cancer.

High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke, and one in every three African Americans suffers from it.

What Indian Statistics says?

Stroke caused 6,99,000 deaths in India in 2019, which was 7.4% of the total deaths.

Around 1.8 million people in India suffer from a stroke every year

Global Burden of Disease study shows that of the 9.4 million deaths in India, 619,000 were due to stroke and Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) lost were 28.5 million

20-30% of strokes occur in people younger than 45 years and is more frequently seen in India compared to the west.

Prevalence rate of stroke range, 84-262/100,000 in rural and 334-424/100,000 in urban areas.

The incidence rate is 119-145/100,000.

Incidence of stroke increases with increasing age, but in our urban population it peaked in the highly productive age group of 46-65 years. The risk of stroke was lower in women as compared to men under the age of 45, it becoming equal in the age group of 46-65. However, with advancing age, women were more prone to ischemic stroke(infarct) above the age of 65 as compared to men. Incidence of intracerebral haemorrhage was found to be significantly higher in men than women under the age of 45years

There are new medicines that can considerably lessen the damage caused by a stroke, but you must go to the hospital where comprehensive stroke unit centres are there as early as possible of the onset of symptoms to avoid disability. Controlling hypertension could prevent 320,000 strokes each year.

During a stroke, two million brain cells die every minute, raising the risk of permanent brain damage, disability, or death.

WHO says-

There are17M Strokes

6.5 Millions  deaths

26 Million survivors

Specialized stroke units care increase the chances of survival by 14%

Clot bursting medications increases chances of good outcome by 30%

Clot retrieval treatment increases the chances of good outcome by more than 50%

Neurowellness provides Advanced Stroke treatment in Bangalore at affordable cost in comparison with the other medical treatment options world wide.

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