Women at higher risk of having a stroke

The world stroke campaign has chosen to focus on this theme because a woman is considered more at risk of having a stroke, more likely to die from a stroke than a man, less likely to receive acute care and rehabilitation than a man, more likely to experience a severe decline in cognitive function and runs a higher risk of post-stroke depression and instutionalization according to WSO.

A stroke is a rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disruption of blood supply to the brain. When stroke strikes, a blood clot or rupture of blood vessels causes bleeding in the brain and prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching the brain. It can be ischemic (more common with 85% cases being of this kind) or haemorrhagic (due to trauma or carotid injuries).

Dr M Madhusudana Babu, specialist in neurology at the King George Hospital (KGH), said, "After menopause, the level of protective hormone oestrogen decreases and owing to a longer life span women are more at risk of developing stroke. Besides, during pregnancy, the chances of blood clotting are also high and they can develop cortical venous sinus thrombosis. Stress, antibody syndrome and protein C deficiency syndrome are other triggering factors for stroke or blood clotting in the veins and arteries."

"Primary prevention of stroke includes controlling hypertension, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, smoking, alcoholism and regular health check-ups after 50 years of age. While secondary prevention to check the second attack includes administration of anti-platelet drugs and certain drugs like statins to reduce cholesterol levels. Ischemic stroke can be treated through thrombolytic or clot bursting therapy and by giving TPA injections in the veins, while haemorrhagic stroke can be treated with medicines and surgery," added Dr Madhusudana Babu.

Meanwhile, on World Stroke Day, Care Hospitals in association with Andhra Pradesh Specialty

Hospitals Association (ASHA) organised a special awareness programme to educate people about the dangers of stroke. Speaking on the occasion, Dr G Kishore Babu, consultant neuro-physician at Care Hospitals said: "Aging, unhealthy diet, tobacco use, and physical inactivity fuel a growing epidemic of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, stroke, heart disease and vascular cognitive impairment. Worldwide, stroke accounts for 5.7 million deaths each year and ranks second to ischemic heart disease as a cause of death and a leading cause of serious disability."

According to doctors, stroke is the third most common killer disease in India after cardiac ailments and cancer, but in around 80% of the cases, the patient can be saved from becoming crippled or death if treated within 4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms. In India, around 18 lakh people get afflicted with stroke every year. Andhra Pradesh is also on the forefront when it comes to the incidence of stroke with nearly 75,000 people getting afflicted with stroke.