The specialised Acute Stroke Unit set up at the RAK Hospital will be a boon to patients since only three per cent of patients with brain attacks manage to reach the hospital on time for effective treatment.

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Published: Sun 20 May 2012, 9:43 AM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 1:45 PM

A stroke or brain attack occurs when a blood clot blocks the blood flow in a vessel or artery or when a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain.

It is critical that the patient be attended to within one to three hours, or the Golden Hour in order to reverse the damage. “Beyond that, the damage may be permanent, said Dr Hillol K Pal, Head - Neurosurgery department at RAK Hospital. “The consequences of a stroke can be cruel, lifelong, painful and impairing, leading to loss of livelihood or family life, drastically affecting the quality of life or causing immediate death.”

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Dr Pal said there was a need to start the stroke unit because 25 per cent of the Ras Al Khaimah population is diabetic and also suffer from hypertension, which means one in four people are at risk. “Since the start of the unit, the RAK Hospital has received 12 stroke patients, out of which five actually reached within the Golden Hour (they had reached within 1 hour).”

Urging everybody to ‘Be Stroke Smart’, Dr Pal has asked people to be aware of the 3Rs of stroke: Reduce risk, Recognise symptoms, and Respond by calling the nearest hospital equipped with an Acute Stroke Unit.

“Statistically, only three per cent of acute stroke patients worldwide actually reach the hospital on time for any meaningful treatment and hence it becomes important to educate people about stroke, its causes, symptoms and treatments.”

Raza Siddiqui, Executive Director, RAK Hospital, said the stroke unit consists of a team of specialised medical professionals working round the clock.

“Since its launch in March, this unit has successfully treated many brain stroke cases effectively, providing life-saving emergency care to the people of Ras Al Khaimah and the nearby emirates.” - ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

FACT SHEET

Mini Stroke Symptoms (FAST)Face-Arms-Speech-Time:

• Face. The face may have fallen on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have drooped.
• Arms. The person with suspected stroke may not be able to raise both arms and keep them there, due to arm weakness or numbness.
• Speech. There may be slurred speech.
• Time. It is time to immediately rush for medical assistance. If any of these signs or symptoms last longer than 24 hours, it is regarded as a full stroke.

RISK FACTORS

• High blood pressure
• Increasing age, especially after 55
• Family history
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Atrial fibrillation (a disturbance of the heart rhythm)
• Race (e.g. African Americans are at higher risk)
• People with heart disease or poor blood flow in their legs

Myths and facts Myths

• Stroke is not preventable
• Stroke cannot be treated
• Stroke only strikes the elderly
• Stroke happens to the heart
• Stroke recovery only hap-pens for a few months following a stroke

Facts

• Strokes happen to the brain, not the heart
• Many strokes are not associated with any pain or headache
• People in every age group are at risk for stroke
• Stroke can be prevented and reversed
• Stroke recover with therapy can be an ongoing process for up to two years.