Stroke symptoms and warning signs: Remember, the 'golden window' to treat a stoke is just 4.5 hours

Strokes were once seen as something that only happened to older people. But now, more and more young adults are being affected. It comes out of nowhere, no signs, no warning, and can change everything in seconds. One moment you're fine, the next you're struggling to speak, move, or remember simple things.

"It is an old notion that only an old person can face such problem,” says Dr P Vijaya, Senior Neurologist and President of the Indian Stroke Association (ISA). “The truth is that today young adults and even children are experiencing strokes. The causes may differ, but the damage is just as real. Sadly, less than 1 percent of patients receive timely treatment, despite proven therapies being available,” she adds.

The ‘golden window’ for treating a stroke is just 4.5 hours. If treatment is delayed, irreversible brain damage begins almost immediately. “Around 20 lakh neurons die every minute after a stroke starts,” Dr Vijaya warns.

Also read | Brain stroke: Symptoms, treatment, prevention strategies

She shares the following 7 must-know facts about strokes that could save a life:

• Know the acronym, BEFAST: Balance issues, Eye vision loss, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to act, these are the six signs everyone should know and never ignore.

• Don’t wait for symptoms to go away: If someone shows any stroke symptoms, never “wait and watch.” The sooner they reach a stroke-ready hospital, the better the chances of full recovery.

• Get to a stroke centre, not just any hospital: Advanced treatments like IV thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy can only be done at equipped stroke centres, make sure the hospital is prepared for stroke care.

• Most strokes are caused by clots, not bleeds: 85 percent of strokes are ischemic (caused by a clot) and treatable with clot-busting drugs, if given within the golden window.

• Stroke can strike even healthy young people: Even without classic risk factors, younger people and children can have strokes due to infections, heart rhythm issues, or genetic conditions.

• Lifestyle choices still matter: Managing blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and avoiding smoking can significantly lower stroke risk at any age.

• Every minute saved saves brain cells: Quick action can mean the difference between walking out of the hospital or living with lifelong disability, time truly is brain.