Press Release

ASSOCHAM organises Webinar on eve of World Stroke Day

New Delhi, 29^th October 2021: Apex industry body ASSOCHAM, continuing with its Illness to Wellness webinar series under the aegis of its CSR Council organised a virtual event on the eve of World Stroke Day - ‘Awareness and Preventive Actions on Stroke Risks,’ whereby health experts shared their views on challenges and preventive measures in this regard.

Sharing his views,Dr. Shamsher Dwivedee, Chairman Neurosciences and Director Clinical Services, VIMHANS Nayati Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi said, “Stroke is largely a preventable disease and it is easy to prevent because except for the genetic factors rest all risk factors including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle etc. can be corrected by eating healthy food, following a daily regime of exercise and getting proper sleep.

He added, “Stress, insomnia and small particle air pollution are modern day neo risk factors that too are modifiable. One can reduce the risk of stroke by 90 percent by modifying these risk factors.”

In his address, Dr. Vipul Gupta, Chief Neuro-interventional Surgery & Co-Chair, Stroke Unit Artemis Hospital, Gurugramsaid, “TheTheme of World Stroke Day is ‘minutes can save lives.’

Dr Gupta further said, “If the patient comes in first few golden hours one can use thrombolytic therapy or mechanical thrombectomy to reopen the blood vessel and reverse stroke. He further added by taking care of hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol level as well as lifestyle changes such as no smoking, adequate weight control, regular exercise and healthy eating, one can avoid 70-80% of strokes.”

He also said that if patient’s friends or relatives see signs of stroke - FAST (face drooping, arm weakness, speech issues) then T - time becomes key and one should rush to a stroke ready hospital.

Session moderator, Dr. Rajesh Kesari who is also Founder and Director, Total Care Control, Delhi-NCR, said, “Stroke is an important preventable disease - the most important factors causing stroke are Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and high Cholesterol levels. Thus, diet and lifestyle play a very important role in prevention of Stroke.Three whites are detrimental for our health viz., Sugar - eating a lot of sugar in any form may lead to Diabetes and High Cholesterol levels; Salt - excessive Salt causes High Blood Pressure which is the number one risk factor causing stroke and Maida (refined wheat flour) causes peaks of both sugar levels and cholesterol.

He added that all these foods should be taken only in moderation together with very little or healthy oils to ensure a healthy and disease-free life and prevent Stroke.