The Hindu : New Delhi News : Stroke chances higher in males

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Monday, Jul 06, 2009
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Stroke chances higher in males

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Stroke may occur at any age and at any point in time but the incidence of stroke or brain attack in male is twice as high compared with female, a study conducted and released recently by the Neuro-Science Department at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals here has found.

The incidence of stroke in men is 67.6 per cent compared with 32.4 per cent in women. The finding of a three-year study was shared recently at a continuing medical education on “Recent advances in stroke management” -- a week long activity organised by Apollo Hospital.

Stroke occurs when either the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, causing damage to a part of the brain, leading to multiple disorder and later death.

“Normally persons above the age of 40 years are more susceptible to brain stroke, but those already suffering from higher blood pressure and with high cholesterol levels need to take extra care. The ratio of knowledge and awareness about stroke among people is very low. This is also a major factor of mortality,” said consultant neurology at Apollo Hospitals P. N. Renjen.

“A stroke is medical emergency, every minute counts when someone is having a stroke. This is why the first three hour of stroke is called as golden period of treatment and diagnosis. The longer blood flow is cut off to the brain, the greater the damage,” he added.

Prevention is better than cure and it strongly holds true in brain attacks also.

Cutting down on alcohol consumption, quitting smoking and regular brisk walking for 35 minutes a day, five days a week, will decrease the risk of “brain attacks” by more than 50 per cent, the study said.

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