Covid-19 may act on brain leading to stroke, says experts at CMRI

 The surge of Covid-19 infection has led to clinically significant increase in the risk of stroke among

the Covid-19 positive patients. There can be several ways in which Covid-19 affects the brain; the

coronavirus may directly affect the nerves and the brain, or may cause blood clots in the veins and

arteries which in turn decrease the blood flow and inability to carry oxygen to brain cells. Every 20

seconds, one Indian suffers a brain stroke and the numbers are increasing alarmingly due to

changing lifestyles. At this rate, around 1.54 million Indians are affected by strokes every year and

the worse is 90 per cent of stroke patients failed to reach hospital on time.

Research shows that up to 76% of Covid-19 affected patients may suffer from stroke and other

psychiatric symptoms. Covid-19 genetic material in the form of viral genomes may be

present in the brain and spinal fluids of Covid-19 patients. This suggests that the virus has

the potential to gain access to the brain. If a ‘stroke’ patient gets medical help in four-and-a-half

hours of the attack, he or she can expect a faster recovery after a clot bluster therapy. But,

unfortunately, only 1-2 per cent of such patients get timely medical help – said Dr. Deep Das. In

cases of Covid-19 infection, there has been increasing number of patients showing neurological

 symptoms with risk of stroke.

Dr. Deep Das, a consultant neurologist at the hospital, said brain stroke and heart attack have

emerged as leading causes of disability and death. “Stroke was a phenomenon of old age. But it has

changed now. People below 40 years are also becoming victims of stroke, impacting their

productive age. As soon as you notice any sign of stroke, immediately take the patient to hospital

emergency unit. Each moment is very crucial during the treatment of stroke. Usually, we get very

less time to carry on with the treatment proceeding for stroke. In case you find involuntary

contractions in face, hands or legs, slurred speech or problem in speaking, and any form of disorder

in the body actions, immediately start the treatment of the patient under emergency care,” quoting

him.

He, however, said a stroke can be prevented by modifying one's lifestyle. “One can reduce the risk

by quitting smoking and drinking alcohol and by controlling obesity and stress,” he said. Nowadays,

strokes in young people aged below 45 is on the rise, this is due to stress, lifestyle and dietary

habits which further leads to brain and heart diseases. So many modifiable, non- modifiable,

genetic factors and blood-related disorders too are responsible for strokes.”

How to Identify Stroke?

Stroke is a sudden loss of function of a part of the body. It can happen out of the blue. The simple

rule to follow in case of a stroke is - 'BE FAST' - Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time," he

advised. If a person suffers from problems in balancing, hoarseness in voice, sudden loss of vision,

drops an object, giddiness, the first thing is to rush him to hospital without wasting time. According

to neurologists, people suffer from Ischemic strokes that are a result of blockages.

 What people are

unaware of is - 

if they seek medical help within 3 to 4.5 hours of the stroke, the blockages may be

removed with medication and possibility of brain related disabilities are reduced significantly.

According to WHO, the second biggest factor for mortality is stroke and it is alarmingly increasing in



India. In fact, 40 per cent of the stroke patients are from India and China. Even younger generation

has been affected by strokes at an increasing rate due to Covid-19. Young patients without any

history of high blood pressure or diabetes are developing stroke symptoms due to blood clots in

brain.

As per studies, the incidence rate of strokes every year in India is 145-154 per one lakh people

compared to 107 in the US.

 Clots can form in the brain's blood vessels, in blood vessels leading to the brain, or even in

blood vessels elsewhere in the body and then travel to the brain. These clots block blood flow

to the brain's cells. Ischemic stroke can also occur when too much plaque (fatty deposits

and cholesterol) clogs the brain's blood vessels. About 80% of all strokes are ischemic.

 Hemorrhagic (heh-more-raj-ik) strokes occur when a blood vessel in the brain breaks or

ruptures. The result is blood seeping into the brain tissue, causing damage to brain cells. The

most common causes of hemorrhagic stroke are high blood pressure and brain aneurysms.

An aneurysm is a weakness or thinness in the blood vessel wall. 

 What Are the Symptoms of Stroke? 

 The most common symptoms of a stroke are:

Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body. Loss of vision or dimming

(like a curtain falling) in one or both eyes. Loss of speech, difficulty talking, or understanding what

others are saying. Sudden, severe headache with no known cause. Loss of balance or unstable

walking, usually combined with another symptom. Careful monitoring of Covid-19 positive patients

is must in order to check their neurological well-being.

What Should I Do If I Experience Stroke Symptoms?

Stroke is a medical emergency. Immediate treatment can save your life or increase your chances of

a full recovery. 

 Is it Possible to Prevent a Stroke?

 Up to 50% of all strokes are preventable. Many risk factors can be controlled before they cause

problems. In case of patients who are suffering from Covid-19 disease or just got recovered from it,

medical examination must be thoroughly done to see if there is any blood clot in brain.

One in every six persons was likely to get a stroke during their lifetime. What is important is the

treatment provided post affliction of stroke. Stroke is the third most common cause for disability

and death. The risk factors for stroke are diabetes, hypertension, consuming alcohol, smoking and

stress, he said. About 80 to 90 per cent of patients can recover in three to six months through

physiotherapy and return to a near normal life.