Accident and Emergency

| 19 August 2025

What is a Stroke?

A stroke happens when blood can't reach the brain, which can cause brain cells to start dying. This can affect how the whole body works. If someone gets treated with a special medicine that can dissolve blood clots within 4.5 hours of when their stroke symptoms first appear, they have a better chance of recovering and not having serious long-term problems. Sometimes, people might hesitate to call for help because they aren't sure if someone is having a stroke. However, it's really important to act quickly. The sooner someone gets medical help, the better their chances are of avoiding severe disability or even death from the stroke. Learning the signs of a stroke can help you know when to call emergency services. Recognizing these signs of a stroke before it happens is crucial to getting help in time.

A stroke is a medical emergency that happens when the brain does not get enough blood. This can occur mainly for two reasons:

• Blocked artery: In most cases (about 80%), a blood clot blocks a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain.
• Damaged blood vessel: Sometimes, the blood vessels themselves can get hurt, which also stops the blood flow.

When the blood doesn't reach the brain, it means the brain cells aren't getting enough oxygen. If this goes on for too long, those brain cells can die, which can lead to serious problems.

Types of Stroke

There are two main types of stroke to understand:

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

This situation occurs when a blood vessel is only temporarily blocked. The symptoms might go away quickly (sometimes within minutes) because the blood supply comes back. Even though there may not be lasting damage, it’s important to pay attention because a TIA can warn you that a full-blown stroke might happen soon. Statistics show that about 40% of people who experience a TIA will eventually have a more serious stroke.

Major Stroke

This type can result in serious or long-lasting problems since a lot of brain cells can be damaged. If you don’t get help quickly, it could even lead to death. The quicker you seek help after a stroke, the better the chances are that you will recover well.

What Are the Warning Signs of a Stroke?

it's important to act quickly if you see these one month before stroke warning signs.

FAST Acronym:

• Face drooping: If someone smiles and one side of their face looks different or droops, it could mean they are having a stroke.
• Arm weakness: If you ask someone to lift both arms and one arm drops down or feels weak, that’s another warning sign.
• Speech problems: If a person has slurred speech or has trouble repeating what you say, it may indicate a stroke.
• Time to call an ambulance: If you notice any of these signs, call emergency services immediately.

Other Possible Symptoms

Research shows that many people who had a stroke experienced mild stroke symptoms (also known as TIA) days prior. Stroke symptoms can appear suddenly, but sometimes people can have warning signs like headaches or numbness days before a serious stroke happens. Apart from the FAST signs, there are other symptoms to watch for:

• A sudden and very bad headache.
• Feeling dizzy, losing balance, or having trouble coordinating movements.
• Sudden changes in vision, like losing sight in one or both eyes.
• Confusion or difficulty understanding things that are usually easy.
• Numbness or weakness on one side of the body, especially in an arm or leg.

Why It’s Important And What To Do?

If you or someone else shows signs of a stroke, it's very important to get medical help right away from our best hospital for emergencies in Mumbai. Stroke is a serious condition, and the faster you get treatment, the better the chances of recovery. If you think someone is having a stroke, you should immediately call for an ambulance. When you call, tell the operator that you suspect a stroke. Even if the symptoms go away, it's essential to go to the hospital because it could still be a mini-stroke.

Types of Treatment

When you get to a well-known and reputed hospital like our accident and emergency hospital in Mumbai, doctors will figure out what kind of stroke it is and how badly it affects the brain. There are a couple of main goals in treatment:

• Restore Blood Flow: The primary goal is to get blood back to the part of the brain that needs it. Sometimes doctors can give medicine to break up a blood clot that is blocking blood flow. Other times, they might need to do surgery to fix the problem.
• Why Time Matters: The quicker you receive treatment, the better the chances of preventing serious damage to the brain.

After the immediate danger is taken care of, further treatment might be necessary to prevent future strokes. This could include:

• Taking medicine to stop clots or lower blood pressure.
• Possibly having surgery to improve blood flow to the brain.
• Getting help for any lasting effects of the stroke, like difficulties with speaking or moving.

Recognizing the signs of a stroke is vital, as swift action can significantly improve outcomes and save lives. By familiarizing yourself with the FAST acronym—Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and the critical reminder to call emergency services—you can become an effective first responder in a crisis. If you or someone else exhibits these symptoms, it's crucial to act immediately and seek help. Remember, in such urgent situations, the first step is reaching out to our emergency medical hospital in Mumbai at Jaslok Hospital, where our dedicated teams are prepared to provide timely and expert care. Your quick response can make a life-changing difference, emphasizing that every second truly counts when it comes to stroke treatment