What is the First-line Treatment for a Stroke?

First-Line Stroke Treatment: Early Intervention & Recovery

In 2021, India reported around 1.25 million new stroke cases, an increase of 51% since 1990. Stroke prevalence in the country has increased twofold, from 4.4 million in 1990 to 9.4 million in 2021, adding to nearly 10% of the world's stroke burden. Remarkably, 25% of stroke patients in India are less than 45 years of age, proving that this disease is hitting the youth too.

That is why it has become crucial to learn about the first-line treatment for a stroke to manage it effectively. Read on to learn about first-line management for stroke, the importance of early intervention, and the significance of insurance coverage.

What is the First-Line Treatment for Stroke?

Stroke treatment varies based on the type of stroke — ischemic (caused by a blood clot blocking blood flow) or hemorrhagic (caused by bleeding in the brain). The first-line treatment is mainly for ischemic stroke, which is also the majority of cases, and it includes the following:

Immediate Emergency Care

• It involves a quick diagnosis and transfer to a facility that can treat a stroke. This places the treatment within the time frame known as the "golden hour," when it can significantly reduce brain injuries and improve outcomes.

IV Thrombolysis (Clot-Busting Therapy)

• For ischemic stroke, the standard first-line therapy is intravenous administration of a clot-dissolving drug, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Such treatment is most effective if administered within 4.5 hours of symptom onset.
• Making its way to the brain, tPA dissolves the clot, restoring blood flow, minimizing the damage to the brain, and increasing the chance of recovery.
• Because tpa can exacerbate bleeding, patients must be screened very carefully to ensure they do not have a hemorrhagic stroke before they are administered tpa.

Mechanical Thrombectomy

• In select cases, particularly those involving large artery occlusions, mechanical thrombectomy (the physical removal of the clot using a catheter) is performed within 6 to 24 hours of symptom onset.
• This advanced treatment is available at comprehensive stroke centres and is used with thrombolysis or if that is contraindicated or ineffective.

Supportive Care and Secondary Prevention

• In addition to their acute treatment, patients receive supportive care to maintain stable blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and other vital signs.
• Secondary prevention includes antiplatelet therapy and anticoagulants, as well as lifestyle modification and control of risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, tobacco use) to prevent recurrence.

Stroke Burden and Healthcare Challenges in India

Regarding stroke incidence, India exhibits regional variability, with urban areas and states in the south, such as Kerala and Goa, demonstrating higher rates. The incidence of stroke is attributed to lifestyle modifications, increasing prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, tobacco usage, and ambient air pollution.

Increasing access to healthcare has not been translated into immediate care for patients due to a lack of awareness of the symptoms and signs of an acute stroke. It is coupled with an inadequate number of stroke-ready centres, especially in areas away from advanced health facilities.

Additionally, stroke incidence in India also affects the productive workforce as compared to stroke patients in Western countries, where the average age of stroke is higher. Recognizing stroke symptoms early and arriving at the hospital quickly is key to improving outcomes.

Importance of Health Insurance for Stroke Care

Stroke treatment is highly expensive owing to hospitalization, advanced interventions, rehabilitation, and long-term care. Comprehensive health insurance is crucial in India, where high out-of-pocket healthcare spending is a significant concern.

The health insurance policies offer valuable stroke protection at an affordable price, providing you with peace of mind and coverage for stroke. This policy offers multiple critical illness claim payouts, ensuring you receive financial support throughout your recovery.

Why Does Health Insurance Matter for Stroke Patients?

Here are a few important reasons why health insurance is crucial for stroke patients:

• A stroke is often immediate and expensive to treat.
• Rehabilitation and follow-up treatments can increase the financial burden.
• Insurance coverage alleviates the stress of worrying about medical expenses, allowing patients and their families to focus on their recovery.

Understanding stroke treatment and its growing burden in India signifies that prompt medical treatment and financial preparedness are crucial. With the increasing incidence of stroke in India, getting health insurance is a preemptive measure towards financial safety. It gives you peace of mind during that time, along with a financial safety net and a sense of security.

At Star Health, we also offer coverage for stroke under our Star Critical Illness Multipay Insurance Policy. We provide hassle-free claim settlements with a reduced turnaround time across 14,000+ network hospitals in India.