The surge of Covid-19 infection has led to clinically significant increase in the risk of stroke among
the Covid-19 positive patients. There can be several ways in which Covid-19 affects the brain; the
coronavirus may directly affect the nerves and the brain, or may cause blood clots in the veins and
arteries which in turn decrease the blood flow and inability to carry oxygen to brain cells. Every 20
seconds, one Indian suffers a brain stroke and the numbers are increasing alarmingly due to
changing lifestyles. At this rate, around 1.54 million Indians are affected by strokes every year and
the worse is 90 per cent of stroke patients failed to reach hospital on time.
Research shows that up to 76% of Covid-19 affected patients may suffer from stroke and other
psychiatric symptoms. Covid-19 genetic material in the form of viral genomes may be
present in the brain and spinal fluids of Covid-19 patients. This suggests that the virus has
the potential to gain access to the brain. If a ‘stroke’ patient gets medical help in four-and-a-half
hours of the attack, he or she can expect a faster recovery after a clot bluster therapy. But,
unfortunately, only 1-2 per cent of such patients get timely medical help – said Dr. Deep Das. In
cases of Covid-19 infection, there has been increasing number of patients showing neurological
symptoms with risk of stroke.
Dr. Deep Das, a consultant neurologist at the hospital, said brain stroke and heart attack have
emerged as leading causes of disability and death. “Stroke was a phenomenon of old age. But it has
changed now. People below 40 years are also becoming victims of stroke, impacting their
productive age. As soon as you notice any sign of stroke, immediately take the patient to hospital
emergency unit. Each moment is very crucial during the treatment of stroke. Usually, we get very
less time to carry on with the treatment proceeding for stroke. In case you find involuntary
contractions in face, hands or legs, slurred speech or problem in speaking, and any form of disorder
in the body actions, immediately start the treatment of the patient under emergency care,” quoting
him.
He, however, said a stroke can be prevented by modifying one's lifestyle. “One can reduce the risk
by quitting smoking and drinking alcohol and by controlling obesity and stress,” he said. Nowadays,
strokes in young people aged below 45 is on the rise, this is due to stress, lifestyle and dietary
habits which further leads to brain and heart diseases. So many modifiable, non- modifiable,
genetic factors and blood-related disorders too are responsible for strokes.”
How to Identify Stroke?
Stroke is a sudden loss of function of a part of the body. It can happen out of the blue. The simple
rule to follow in case of a stroke is - 'BE FAST' - Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time," he
advised. If a person suffers from problems in balancing, hoarseness in voice, sudden loss of vision,
drops an object, giddiness, the first thing is to rush him to hospital without wasting time. According
to neurologists, people suffer from Ischemic strokes that are a result of blockages.
What people are
unaware of is -
if they seek medical help within 3 to 4.5 hours of the stroke, the blockages may be
removed with medication and possibility of brain related disabilities are reduced significantly.
According to WHO, the second biggest factor for mortality is stroke and it is alarmingly increasing in
India. In fact, 40 per cent of the stroke patients are from India and China. Even younger generation
has been affected by strokes at an increasing rate due to Covid-19. Young patients without any
history of high blood pressure or diabetes are developing stroke symptoms due to blood clots in
brain.
As per studies, the incidence rate of strokes every year in India is 145-154 per one lakh people
compared to 107 in the US.
Clots can form in the brain's blood vessels, in blood vessels leading to the brain, or even in
blood vessels elsewhere in the body and then travel to the brain. These clots block blood flow
to the brain's cells. Ischemic stroke can also occur when too much plaque (fatty deposits
and cholesterol) clogs the brain's blood vessels. About 80% of all strokes are ischemic.
Hemorrhagic (heh-more-raj-ik) strokes occur when a blood vessel in the brain breaks or
ruptures. The result is blood seeping into the brain tissue, causing damage to brain cells. The
most common causes of hemorrhagic stroke are high blood pressure and brain aneurysms.
An aneurysm is a weakness or thinness in the blood vessel wall.
What Are the Symptoms of Stroke?
The most common symptoms of a stroke are:
Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body. Loss of vision or dimming
(like a curtain falling) in one or both eyes. Loss of speech, difficulty talking, or understanding what
others are saying. Sudden, severe headache with no known cause. Loss of balance or unstable
walking, usually combined with another symptom. Careful monitoring of Covid-19 positive patients
is must in order to check their neurological well-being.
What Should I Do If I Experience Stroke Symptoms?
Stroke is a medical emergency. Immediate treatment can save your life or increase your chances of
a full recovery.
Is it Possible to Prevent a Stroke?
Up to 50% of all strokes are preventable. Many risk factors can be controlled before they cause
problems. In case of patients who are suffering from Covid-19 disease or just got recovered from it,
medical examination must be thoroughly done to see if there is any blood clot in brain.
One in every six persons was likely to get a stroke during their lifetime. What is important is the
treatment provided post affliction of stroke. Stroke is the third most common cause for disability
and death. The risk factors for stroke are diabetes, hypertension, consuming alcohol, smoking and
stress, he said. About 80 to 90 per cent of patients can recover in three to six months through
physiotherapy and return to a near normal life.
0 Comments