29 October,2026 08:03 AM IST | Mumbai | Hemal Ashar
(From left) Doctors K Bhatia, S Hastak, Hussain, P Agarwal, S Rawat, N Dange, and M Gharat. Pic/Ashish Raje
Speed took centre stage at a press conference held to mark World Stroke Day today, October 29. While timely treatment results in better outcomes in most ailments, it is of absolute essence in stroke cases, said top doctors at the conference at Gleneagles Hospital in Parel on Wednesday afternoon.
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The medical team addressing a packed auditorium on the third floor reinforced: "Stroke is a medical emergency in which every minute matters. We do see strokes in younger persons and even at times, babies. It is from womb to tomb," said the doctors, though stating that it is more common as we age.
The medical team with smiling survivors. Pic/By Special Arrangement
They added, "Timely diagnosis, specialised stroke care and rehabilitation can help save lives but, most importantly, reduce long-term disability." If treatment is started within 4 to 4.5 hours of a stroke, it will bring good results. Even treatment within 24 hours can be beneficial, it was said.
Dr Shirish Hastak said, "Today is World Stroke Day, but I would be happier if it is called Understanding or Preventing Stroke Day." The Regional Director, Neurology, Stroke & Neurocritical Care at the hospital pointed to a stroke survivor, Dr (PhD) Krishna Naik, who recognised that a sudden onset of symptoms could indicate a stroke and rushed to the hospital in time, allowing his treatment to begin very early.
On arrival at the hospital, Code Stroke was activated, and his brain MRI was done in 10 minutes. He was later seen by Dr Hastak and his team and given the clot-busting drug in another 10 minutes. He recovered his hand and leg power in half an hour. Yesterday, he was walking around at the conference, smiling and shaking hands.
Dr Nitin Dange said, "Stroke treatment is my passion. Awareness is all. If you even suspect something is wrong, rush to a hospital. Do not try all kinds of home treatment," cautioned the interventional neurologist and neurosurgeon. The overarching message, said Dr Pankaj Agarwal, "is that stroke = time = brain. Stroke is a devil with many faces," added the Director of Neurology, Stroke and Neurocritical Care at the hospital.
Several stroke survivors, Praveen Khatu, Satish Nikam, Dr (PhD) Krishna Naik and Tejal Bhatt, spoke about their survival stories. Khatu rushed to the hospital after his right arm started involuntarily pulling and moving on its own, and his vision altered, with him seeing different colours. Naik said he recognised the signs when he felt slightly dizzy, and his arm went weak at a Parel corner, and he rushed to hospital.
Nikam said he was treated for an unruptured aneurysm and underwent carotid stenting in time. Bhatt's husband, Adit Bhatt, said they literally flew on a wing and a prayer to Gleneagles Hospital in Parel from their home in Ghatkopar after his wife, Tejal, felt weakness in her left arm, had no sensation, and was feeling unwell. Swift treatment led to good outcomes for all. The survivors were feeling "first class". One could say it is because they flew first class to the hospital.
Dr Sangeeta Rawat, consulting neurologist, stressed the preventive aspect, stating that a good, balanced diet, exercise, quality and quantity of sleep, controlling and monitoring blood pressure (BP), diabetes and cholesterol, and saying no to tobacco use and smoking are important. "For me, it is about the question: why should anybody get a stroke?" asked Rawat.
Consulting neurologist Dr Kushal Bhatia pointed out that "a stroke does not just affect the patient but the family," while consulting neurologist Dr Mayur Gharat said, "There are persons who suffer a âmini stroke', with a sign or two which resolves within minutes. Yet, even that should not be dismissed, and checking why that happened is vital."
There is a stroke acronym called BE FAST, which, by its very name, tells you the importance of alacrity. It also stands for certain signs and symptoms that may indicate a stroke.
B for Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination
E for Eyes: Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
F for Face: Drooping or asymmetry on one side of the face
A for Arms: Sudden arm weakness or weakness on one side of the body
S for Speech: Difficulty speaking, finding words, or expressing oneself
T for Time: Call an ambulance immediately and reach the nearest stroke-ready centre
