Bangalore, 13th Oct 2024: The Indian Stroke Association (ISA) has launched MISSION BRAIN ATTACK, an initiative aimed at enhancing the awareness, education, and training of healthcare professionals in stroke prevention, immediate treatment, and rehabilitation. The campaign “Each One Teach One” addresses the alarming rise in stroke cases across India, emphasizing the urgent need for specialized training and resources to improve stroke care nationwide.

Strokes are one of the leading causes of death and disability in India, affecting approximately 1.8 million people annually. As the second most common cause of mortality and the third leading cause of disability, strokes have had a significant impact on the country’s healthcare system. Despite this, awareness about stroke symptoms and timely intervention remains low. MISSION BRAIN ATTACK seeks to close this gap by offering healthcare providers critical training on recognizing stroke symptoms early and implementing effective care protocols to improve patient outcomes.

The golden hour for stroke treatment is 4 hours and 30 minutes. Prompt medical treatment within this period can reverse the effect of stroke. The MISSION BRAIN ATTACK initiative is designed to equip physicians and medical practitioners with critical information and practical training on recognizing stroke symptoms early, implementing effective treatment protocols, and delivering comprehensive care for patients experiencing strokes. The program will include workshops, webinars, real-time case studies, and access to cutting-edge online resources. These elements will help ensure that healthcare providers across India are familiar with the latest best practices in stroke management.

“The incidence of stroke is rising because of lifestyle factors and poorly identified and poorly controlled risk factors. Bangalore alone records approximately 40 new stroke cases every day. By identifying risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, sleep apnea (snoring) and optimally treating them, quitting smoking and adopting a heathy lifestyle and diet rich in anti-oxidants and low on salt, sugar and fats, 80% of strokes can be prevented.” said Dr Amit Kulkarni, Senior Consultant & Lead- Neurology & Stroke, EC Member, Indian Stroke Association. 

"1 in 4 of us develop strokes in our lifetime. Emergency management of stroke which includes intravenous clotbuster injection given as early as possible within 4.5 hours and mechanical removal of clot when there is a large artery blockage which can be done within 6-7 hours in most cases and upto 24 hours in selected patients can save lives and significantly improve long term outcome and make them independent in activities of daily living.”said Dr Vikram Huded, Senior Consultant & Head, Neurology & Neurointervention, Indian Stroke Association.