Strokes to be second major cause of death: Experts

September 15th, 2010 - 2:08 pm ICT by IANS  

New Delhi, Sep 15 (IANS) Strokes are well on their way to becoming the second leading cause of death in India, say experts.
“The young as well as the ageing population are vulnerable to lifestyle-related disorders. Strokes attack this strata,” P.N. Renjen, senior neurosurgeon at Apollo hospital, told IANS.

“Cases of high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity are on the rise, making strokes the second leading cause of death in India after heart diseases,” he added.

Smoking is suggested to be the major reason behind strokes.

Strokes, also known as Peripheral Arterial Diseases (PAD), are caused due to blockage of arteries in the body.

“About 10 to 15 percent of people under the age of 40 are affected by the disease,” Renjen said.

Ramesh Tripathi, vascular surgeon at Apollo hospital, said: “Early treatment is the only way of prevention. If somebody is having an acute stroke, the patient has to reach the hospital at least within five hours for the clot to be broken successfully.”

The warning signs of strokes are sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms or legs, visual loss, trouble in walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, severe headache with no known cause and sudden loss of consciousness.

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