Doctors from NIMHANS on Wednesday stressed the importance of early stroke recognition and timely treatment as part of World Thrombectomy Day observed globally on May 15.

According to a release from NIMHANS, this year’s theme, “Every second counts, on the field and in the brain,” highlights the urgency of stroke treatment and the need for immediate medical intervention to prevent disability and death.

Doctors pointed out that stroke cases are increasingly being reported among younger adults due to hypertension, diabetes, smoking, stress, obesity and sedentary lifestyles. They noted that delays in treatment can result in paralysis, speech impairment, memory loss or even death.

Advanced stroke care

NIMHANS, which functions as the only 24x7 government-sector mechanical thrombectomy centre in Karnataka, said advanced stroke care including emergency thrombolysis, thrombectomy procedures, stroke ICU services and rehabilitation are being provided at the institute.

Mechanical thrombectomy is a procedure in which doctors remove a blood clot blocking blood flow to the brain using a catheter inserted through a blood vessel. Doctors said the treatment significantly improves recovery chances if performed early, ideally within six hours of stroke onset.

‘Be fast’

The institute also highlighted the “Be fast” warning signs of stroke — balance issues, eye problems, facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty and timely action to reach a hospital.

NIMHANS is working with the Karnataka government on a hub-and-spoke stroke project aimed at improving stroke care access in rural and semi-urban areas by linking district hospitals with advanced stroke centres.

Lack of public awareness, delayed hospital visits, traffic congestion and shortage of stroke-ready hospitals continue to affect timely treatment in many parts of Karnataka.

NIMHANS has urged the public to recognise stroke symptoms early and seek immediate medical attention, emphasising that “time is brain” in stroke treatment.