New Delhi: In a surprising revelation, nearly half of the patients coming to AIIMS hospital with the neurological condition are less than 50 years old. This includes both men and women. It was not the case earlier when a stroke was usually associated with people much older.
“From 1998 to 2012, we received 2,276 stroke patients. Of them, only 38% were less than 50 years old. But the new data, from 2012 to 2014, reveals that such patients have now gone up to 46%,” said Kameshwar Prasad, professor and head of neurology department at AIIMS. He said unhealthy lifestyle and neglect towards the risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and heart diseases could be the reason for this increase.
Doctors said in Western countries the average age of stroke patients is 72 years but in India that, too, has come down to around 50 years. “Hypertension is one of the most common risk factors in patients. It shows that, despite government initiatives and awareness programmes, people are getting their blood pressure checked regularly. It is important to prevent the disease or ensure early detection,” Dr Prasad added. He advised that anyone above 25 years should get their BP checked at least once a year.
M V Padma Srivastava, professor of neurology at the institute, said increasing incidence of smoking in women is a major worry. “Smoking combined with use of contraceptive pills—a common indulgence—puts women at higher risk for brain stroke. In rural areas, too, many women smoke bidis,” she said.
The neurologists also stressed upon seeking urgent care if there is loss of function or paralysis in face and arm or slurring of speech. “Studies show that a lot of time is spent in seeking advice from local physicians or hospitals not equipped to treat stroke patients. Awareness about the right place and the need to rush immediately to a hospital with basic facilities is necessary,” said Rohit Bhatia, senior neurologist.