World Stroke Day 2024: A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from receiving essential nutrients and oxygen.

This disruption can result from ischemic strokes, caused by blockages in blood vessels, and hemorrhagic strokes, resulting from bleeding in or around the brain. High blood pressure, unhealthy diet, smoking, stress, family history and lack of physical activity are causes that are often overlooked in everyday life.

However, there is still a lack of awareness of the warning signs of stroke, which delays seeking treatment.

On the occasion of World Stroke Day, Dr Pavan Pai, Consultant Interventional Neurologist and Stroke Specialist, Mira Road and Mira Bhayandar (Mumbai), highlights the warning signs of stroke cerebrovascular disease which should not be ignored. Delayed stroke treatment can lead to negative outcomes and difficulty performing daily activities.

It is important to understand these warning signs to quickly initiate life-saving interventions.

Everything you need to know about BEFAST

BEFAST is the acronym for stroke that everyone should know

• B: Balance: Loss of balance and inability to walk will indicate a stroke
• E: Eyes: Blurry eyes or loss of vision can be a cause for concern as it is one of the most serious problems.
• symptoms of a stroke
• F: Face: A drooping face and irregular smile are also seen in people who have had a stroke.
• A: Arm: Arm weakness is one of the common signs of a stroke
• S: Speech: Slurred speech, inability to speak clearly will mean stroke
• T: Time: Time is of the essence when it comes to treating a stroke.

“It is imperative to ensure that the stroke patient is taken to a nearby stroke-ready hospital for immediate treatment including medication that is tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) or mechanical thrombectomy to manage stroke and help the patient get their life back on track,” Dr. Pai said Financial Express.com.

What are the warning signs of a stroke?

Look out for signs and symptoms such as headache, vomiting, seizures, disorientation, loss of balance, inability to walk, weakness and numbness of the face and legs, confusion, inability to swallow or eat. Stroke symptoms tend to vary from person to person.

“It’s time to educate everyone about the warning signs of stroke to improve the prognosis of the disease. Additionally, one should have a balanced diet, exercise daily, stay stress-free by doing meditation, maintain optimal weight and control blood pressure and blood sugar by taking medicines prescribed by the doctor to prevent an accident cerebrovascular. ” he said Financial Express.com.