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Neurologist shares life-saving advice as Hyderabad doctors report alarming rise in stroke cases among young professionals

Neurologist shares life-saving advice as Hyderabad doctors report alarming rise in stroke cases among young professionals

Time of India22-07-2025
An unsettling trend has been observed in Hyderabad hospitals as increasing number of stroke cases are being reported among young adults aged between 20 and 45. Once associated primarily with the elderly, strokes are now appearing with alarming frequency in working professionals, many of whom have no significant medical history. Doctors say the shift is being driven by chronic stress, erratic sleep patterns, and untreated lifestyle-related health conditions.
This growing concern has prompted neurologists across the city to call for greater awareness, faster response times, and preventive lifestyle changes to combat what is now being termed 'young onset stroke.'
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The issue was recently detailed in a report by The Times of India and Senior neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar, who was among the experts quoted, also shared the report on X. The report stated that cases are becoming increasingly common at hospitals like Apollo, NIMS, OGH, Gandhi, and other major clinics across Hyderabad.
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— hyderabaddoctor (@hyderabaddoctor)
Young Professionals at Risk Due to Lifestyle Strain
The report highlighted multiple cases of young stroke patients arriving too late for effective intervention. One instance involved a 24-year-old BPO employee whose stroke was linked to sleep deprivation, alcohol use, and uncontrolled diabetes. In another case, a 40-year-old corporate executive ignored symptoms of high blood pressure and collapsed at home, missing the crucial treatment window and suffering permanent disability.
Doctors attribute these cases to a combination of workplace stress, sedentary routines, smoking, poor diet, and neglected medical conditions such as hypertension and metabolic disorders. Many patients are unaware of their risk factors or dismiss early symptoms, which proves costly.
When To Visit Hospital, Advices Neurologist
Dr Sudhir Kumar, who practices at
Apollo Hospitals
, stressed earlier in a tweet that strokes are now the third leading cause of death and long-term disability, after heart disease and cancer. The most common type is ischemic stroke, caused by a blood clot blocking circulation to part of the brain. Effective treatment, such as thrombolysis (a clot-dissolving injection) or mechanical thrombectomy (clot removal), is only successful if administered within the first few hours of symptom onset.
He explained that over 90% of stroke patients do not receive this treatment because they arrive at hospitals too late. As a result, they are often left with permanent impairments such as weakness in limbs, loss of speech, memory issues, or visual problems.
Dr Kumar strongly advises that if someone experiences sudden facial drooping, difficulty speaking, or weakness in one arm or leg, they should be rushed immediately to a hospital equipped with a CT scan facility.
— hyderabaddoctor (@hyderabaddoctor)
Lesser-Known Symptoms Are Often Missed
Beyond the typical signs, Dr Kumar has used public platforms to draw attention to lesser-known symptoms that could point to a stroke. These include sudden confusion, drooping of one eyelid with weakness on the opposite side, dizziness, imbalance, numbness or tingling on one side of the body, sudden vision or hearing loss, memory lapses, or even the inability to recognise familiar faces.
— hyderabaddoctor (@hyderabaddoctor)
Strokes affecting the brainstem, thalamus, or parietal lobe may present with subtle or unusual symptoms, making early recognition even more critical. In rarer cases, patients may show signs such as paraplegia, inability to read or write, left-right confusion, or sudden disorientation.
Dr Kumar's key message remains consistent: any sudden neurological change should prompt immediate medical evaluation.
Preventive Measures Still the Strongest Shield
Medical professionals across Hyderabad agree that prevention is more effective than cure in the case of strokes. They recommend regular physical activity, adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, and timely health check-ups for blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.
Risk factors such as smoking, heavy drinking, and recreational drug use further increase vulnerability and should be actively avoided. Managing work-related stress, especially in high-pressure roles, is also critical to maintaining
brain health
.
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