Harsha Bhogle now bats for stroke awareness

When and why did you feel the need to be associated with stroke awareness?
Stroke is something that's common in every Indian household. However, there isn't much understanding or awareness about it or its symptoms. Hence, I felt strongly for the cause. Also, I have seen a friend going down with paralysis because they were not able to do the needful in the 'golden hour'. Very often, it's people close to the one struck by a stroke who need to understand its symptoms and the need for speedy action. Hence I thought I would contribute in whatever way possible in spreading awareness.

How would you promote stroke awareness?
I am active online and have a significant Twitter following. My following is growing on Facebook too. So, if I can engage people and educate them on stroke, I believe it would generate a certain level of awareness. Hopefully, it'll create a ripple effect, as my followers on Twitter and Facebook can talk to their peers and families and thus create a certain amount of awareness in the society about this medical condition.

On what would you be talking in this campaign?
I am a strong proponent of healthy living and feel if an individual can lead a balanced life with moderate exercise, it would help in averting many lifestyle diseases. Hence in this campaign, I will be talking not only on creating awareness on stroke, but also on the importance of healthy living. The ever-evolving and fast-changing lifestyle has accelerated the occurrences of stroke. High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol level, tobacco, physical inactivity and obesity and many other medical conditions are considered high risk factors for stroke. So it's important to take cognizance of this and take precautions.

Have you any personal experiences on stroke?
Stroke is common in every household. And yes, I have known people who have succumbed to it as enough wasn't done in the 'golden hour' due to lack of awareness. Hence, it's important that we create awareness amongst people on the concept of stroke.

What are the symptoms?
One in six people is at the risk of stroke. Hence it's important to be able to identify the symptoms of stroke and act in time. To start with, each and everyone should recognize the following warning signs:
* Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
* Sudden confusion, difficulty in speaking or trouble understanding.
* Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
* Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
* Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
* Any of these symptoms, even if transient, should not be taken lightly. You should consult your doctor immediately. This is critical, and the more this message is spread the better.

Treatment in the 'golden hour' is crucial; how adept is India/Mumbai at it?
The outcome of a brain stroke could be lifelong disability. Brain stroke takes place due to a clot in the brain that interrupts supply to other parts of the brain. The earlier the clot gets dissolved, the better. Hence, the 'golden hour', that is, the first hour after the onset of symptoms, is most crucial. Friends/relatives should rush brain-stroke patients to the nearest hospital with stroke treatment facility.
India is catching up on awareness on brain stroke. All cities now have hospitals with treatment facilities. It's best to identify a hospital and store the emergency number in your cellphones, so that you can save a patient from lifelong disability.