In India, there are 119-145 stroke cases per 1 lakh population, with 20-30% of these cases occurring in individuals under 50 years of age.
Mumbai: Stroke is no longer just an illness of the elderly. Due to unhealthy lifestyles, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stress, people as young as 40–50 years are increasingly falling victim to strokes. The Cerebrovascular Society of India, at the Neurovascon 2025 conference, warned that stroke is becoming one of the leading causes of death and disability in India.
In Mumbai alone, nearly 50–60 stroke patients are reported daily, but only 10% manage to reach hospitals on time. The rest often face permanent disability due to delayed treatment, placing a heavy burden on both families and society.
Neurosurgeon Dr. Batuk Deora explained that there are two main types of strokes:
- Ischemic Stroke – when a blood vessel gets blocked
- Hemorrhagic Stroke – when a blood vessel bursts, often due to high blood pressure
“Stroke is now rising sharply among younger people. A balanced diet, proper sleep, and regular exercise can help prevent it,” Dr. Deora said.
Dr. Bhavana Deora emphasized, “Stroke is a medical emergency. Timely treatment can save lives and prevent disability.”
Doctors urged people to remember the BEFAST formula for early detection:
- B: Balance (sudden loss of balance or coordination)
- E: Eyes (blurred or double vision)
- F: Face (facial drooping on one side)
- A: Arm (difficulty raising one arm)
- S: Speech (slurred or unclear speech)
- T: Time (call for immediate medical help and get to the hospital without delay)
In India, there are 119-145 stroke cases per 1 lakh population, with 20-30% of these cases occurring in individuals under 50 years of age. According to the WHO, stroke is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for 11% of all deaths.
