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Stroke While Exercising: Neurologist Wants People To Remember These 4 Things

Get to know the connection between winter and brain strokes. Also, learn what you can do if someone sufferers from a stroke while exercising.

Written by Longjam Dineshwori | Updated : February 15, 2023 4:13 PM IST

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Stroke While Exercising

Recently, there were many reports about people suffering from stroke while exercising in the gym. Doctors have also reported a sudden spurt in the number of stroke cases this winter. Did you know that there is a strong connection between winter and brain strokes? “Cold weather constricts the blood vessels, which can increase blood pressure – a major risk factor for stroke. However, blood tends to thicken and become stickier during extreme cold, which makes it easier to clot. Most strokes are due to blood clotting, which blocks a blood vessel to the brain. Our bodies’ reaction to cold weather tends to put added stress on the heart as we “clamp down” to preserve heat and energy,” explains Dr Pavan Pai, Interventional Neurologist, Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road. Dr. Pai wants people to know about these 4 important things about an Ischemic Stroke:

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Symptoms Of Ischemic Stroke

Dr. Pai cites the case of one of his patients, a 56-year-old woman who suffered from an Ischemic Stroke while exercising in the gym in the morning. She suddenly developed right-side body weakness, drowsiness, and then became unconscious. When she was brought in the emergency ward, she had complete weakness in the right side of her body, couldn’t speak, and was drowsy, says Dr. Pai.  Also Read - Miss J Alexander Hospitalised After Stroke, Spent Weeks In Coma, Says 'I Can't Walk': Doctor Warns About Life-Threatening Stroke Risks  

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What To Do If You Or Someone Suffers Stroke?

“B.E.F.A.S.T (Balance Loss, Eyesight Blurring or Loss, Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time) and seek treatment within the golden hour of the stroke to recover without any complications,” says Dr. Pai.

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Know The Golden Hour Of Stroke

The first hour or the 60 minutes after the onset of stroke symptoms is referred to as the “golden hour” for stroke patients as they have high chance of survival. Treatment within a window period of 4.5 hours right after experiencing symptoms of stroke (golden period) leads to better outcomes.  Also Read - Stroke Symptoms At Night: 7 Warning Signs of Brain Stroke In Legs And Feet

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Treatment Of Ischemic Stroke

The woman Dr. Pai mentioned above was brought to the hospital within the golden period. Her MRI brain showed an Ischemic Stroke with a complete occlusion of a medium sized artery. She was first given a clot buster injection and later taken up for mechanical thrombectomy. Mechanical Thrombectomy is done to unclog the blocked artery and restore the blood supply. It is a life-saving procedure and can help stroke patients improve their quality of life, adds Dr. Pai. She was discharged after in 6 days and has now resumed her daily routine.