A national survey conducted across metros by Indian Stroke Association (ISA) highlights lack of awareness on stroke and its implications largely in younger Indians. As a precursor to World Stroke Day 2013, ISA underlines the importance of creating awareness on the third largest killer in India – Stroke. As a part of this initiative, ISA commissioned a survey across India to understand the extent of knowledge that prevails about stroke amongst the Indian population. The research conducted by Ipsos, a leading market research agency, revealed that a majority of Indians do not know the real causes of stroke.

The survey was conducted across men and women aged between 25-50 years. A total of 1507 people were interviewed from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Chennai. It mainly captured the respondents’ awareness & understanding of the term “Stroke”, its symptoms, perceived causes, the prevailing knowledge about treatment options and their experiences with stroke sufferers.

Stroke is a medical emergency and can cause permanent neurological damage, complications, and death. Brain attack or stroke, is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. It is caused due to block in blood vessel (ischemic stroke) or rupture of the blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke) in the brain. Ischemic stroke has to be properly treated with the only available treatment approved world over to prevent the brain damage within 4.5 hrs. However the study revealed that the ordinary people are not aware of stroke, its manifestations, the immediate course of action in its occurrence and the rehabilitation treatment for patients.

Only half the people interviewed during the survey were aware that stroke affects the brain, may result in paralysis and needs treatment by a neurologist along with physiotherapy. The fact that a stroke can occur without pain & often goes undiagnosed is not known to many. Even fewer are aware that specific clot reducing medication needs to be administered within 4 hours of the stroke and doing so can prevent disability.

The primary symptoms of a stroke are sudden onset of facial weakness, arm drift and abnormal speech (drooping of the corner of the mouth). According to a World Stroke Association survey in 2011, only 6.2% of people recognized stroke symptoms. Amongst those who were unaware of the symptoms, majority of the respondents from this segment were young (below 35years) which showcased that awareness levels were lower in the younger generation of India. According to the survey Mumbai’s understanding about stroke is slightly better as compared to the rest of the country.

“The survey clearly indicates that there is lack of awareness about the term stroke, its causes, preventive measures and immediate actions to be taken in case of a stroke occurrence. Today, there is a need to create greater awareness among the younger population who are the main observers of the acute event”, said Dr. Shirish Hastak, former president of ISA, who has spearheaded multiple campaigns to create awareness on stroke.

He also reiterated that at the very first symptom of a stroke, the family of the patient needs to rush to a proper hospital with a CT scan facility. The ISA is pioneering efforts to improve awareness, early diagnosis and referral, and appropriate management of stroke in the country. The cornerstones are proper education, increasing levels of awareness, trained & dedicated medical personnel committed to stroke prevention and eradication, supported by infrastructure. Stroke and paralytic support group will go a long way in creating awareness about this crippling disease.














A national survey conducted across metros by Indian Stroke Association (ISA) highlights lack of awareness on stroke and its implications largely in younger Indians. As a precursor to World Stroke Day 2013, ISA underlines the importance of creating awareness on the third largest killer in India – Stroke. As a part of this initiative, ISA commissioned a survey across India to understand the extent of knowledge that prevails about Stroke amongst the Indian population. The research conducted by Ipsos, a leading market research agency, revealed that a majority of Indians do not know the real causes of stroke.

The survey was conducted across men and women aged between 25-50 years. A total of 1507 people were interviewed from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai. It mainly captured the respondents’ awareness & understanding of the term “Stroke”, its symptoms, perceived causes, the prevailing knowledge about treatment options and their experiences with stroke sufferers.

Stroke is a medical emergency and can cause permanent neurological damage, complications, and death. Brain attack or stroke, is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. It is caused due to block in blood vessel (ischemic stroke) or rupture of the blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke) in the brain. Ischemic stroke has to be properly treated with the only available treatment approved world over to prevent the brain damage within 4.5 hrs. However the study revealed that the ordinary people are not aware of stroke, its manifestations, the immediate course of action in its occurrence and the rehabilitation treatment for patients.

Only half the people interviewed during the survey were aware that stroke affects the brain, may result in paralysis and needs treatment by a neurologist along with physiotherapy. The fact that a stroke can occur without pain & often goes undiagnosed is not known to many. Even fewer are aware that specific clot reducing medication needs to be administered within 4 hours of the stroke and doing so can prevent disability.

The primary symptoms of a stroke are sudden onset of facial weakness, arm drift and abnormal speech (drooping of the corner of the mouth). According to a World Stroke Association survey in 2011, only 6.2% of people recognized stroke symptoms. Amongst those who were unaware of the symptoms, majority of the respondents from this segment were young (below 35years) which showcased that awareness levels were lower in the younger generation of India. According to the survey Mumbai’s understanding about stroke is slightly better as compared to the rest of the country.

“The survey clearly indicates that there is lack of awareness about the term stroke, its causes, preventive measures and immediate actions to be taken in case of a stroke occurrence. Today, there is a need to create greater awareness among the younger population who are the main observers of the acute event”, said Dr. Shirish Hastak, former president of ISA, who has spearheaded multiple campaigns to create awareness on stroke.

He also reiterated that at the very first symptom of a stroke, the family of the patient needs to rush to a proper hospital with a CT scan facility. The ISA is pioneering efforts to improve awareness, early diagnosis and referral, and appropriate management of stroke in the country. The cornerstones are proper education, increasing levels of awareness, trained & dedicated medical personnel committed to stroke prevention and eradication, supported by infrastructure. Stroke and paralytic support group will go a long way in creating awareness about this crippling disease.