- Major increase in the number of stroke patients in winter
- Number of 1.5 million new stroke patients every year
- What is the real reason?
According to the Indian Stroke Association, about 1.5 million new stroke cases are reported in India every year. Hence, stroke is becoming a leading cause of death and long-term disability. As per the observation of doctors at Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital (ABMH), Pune, there is a significant increase in the number of stroke patients during winter. The reasons behind this are environmental factors, reduced physical activity, lack of body water, seasonal infections, poor control of chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.
Dr. Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital Senior Director of Neurosciences and Neurosurgeon Department while giving information about why this risk increases in winter. Rakesh Ranjan said, “About one to two strokes are being reported every day in the last one week. In winter, blood vessels constrict due to the drop in temperature, which increases blood pressure and reduces blood flow to the brain. Also, cold weather thickens the blood, increasing the risk of blood clots. This is mainly due to ischemic stroke (paralysis due to a sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain). The main cause is obstruction of blood flow to the brain. Another type is hemorrhagic stroke, which It is caused by a burst blood vessel in the brain and is often caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure.”
Common symptoms of a stroke include a sudden twisting of one side of the face, loss of strength or deafness in an arm or leg, difficulty speaking, blurred or double vision (seeing two people/objects), dizziness, severe headache or loss of balance. Dr. Ranjan explained that the ‘golden hour’, the first four to four and a half hours after the onset of symptoms, is critical. Timely treatment during this period increases the patient’s chances of recovery and can reduce long-term damage.
Talking about the increasing number of stroke patients, Dr. “We are fully equipped to handle stroke emergencies during the critical treatment period,” said Ranjan. Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital operates as a stroke-ready center with dedicated stroke and neuro physicians, round-the-clock neurosurgical services and advanced diagnostic facilities like CT scan and MRI. A specialized neuro ICU as well as comprehensive physiotherapy and rehabilitation programs help patients recover quickly. Scale’, a standardized medical test (NIHSS) is followed, thus enabling rapid assessment, timely investigations and prompt treatment.
Additional risk factors and lifestyle factors in winter
Dr. Ranjan also pointed to dehydration in winter. This is often overlooked. Dehydration causes the blood to thicken and the risk of blood clots increases. Factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption as well as uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure increase the risk of stroke in winter. A sudden drop in temperature causes physical reactions in the body, constriction of blood vessels and additional stress on the heart and brain. Seasonal flu and other infections can suppress the immune system and increase the inflammatory response, further increasing the risk of stroke.
To reduce these risks, he advised drinking enough water, doing light exercise at home, checking blood pressure and sugar levels regularly, and getting the recommended vaccinations in winter. These help prevent infection and thus reduce the risk of stroke.
As the number of stroke patients continues to increase during winter, timely awareness, prompt response and availability of specialized stroke treatment can also be crucial in recovery and long-term disability.
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