Last Updated on November 1, 2020 by The Health Master
CHANDIGARH: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death, second only to cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, witnesses around 1,000-1,100 new cases each year and the number is also inclusive of youngsters. TOI spoke to PGI’s experts about the risk factors which can be avoided well in time.
“Stroke patient shares might carry other risk factors which come with cardiovascular diseases. It is often important to screen for cardiovascular diseases in a stroke patient,” said prof Dheeraj Khurana, PGI, neurologist who has been advocating stroke prevention.
Hypertension, alcohol consumption and smoking have been well identified as common risk factors.
Unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, uncontrolled diabetes, high cholesterol, passive smoking, illicit drug use, cardiovascular disease have been poorly recognized causes in our population.
“Even when we talk of knowing about the signs to recognize a stroke, surveys report that only 55% of urban population in India were aware of a premonitory sign of stroke,” said Dr Khurana. He added that it is now being found that if a person has a history of stroke in the family, that person is predisposed.
