Cold Wave Intensifies Brain Stroke Cases Across Jharkhand
Hospitals in Ranchi are grappling with a significant increase in brain stroke admissions. The ongoing intense cold wave across Jharkhand has directly contributed to this alarming surge. Major healthcare facilities report a continuous rise in patient inflow compared to the pre-winter period.
Hospital Reports Show Dramatic Spike
Neurology departments, intensive care units, and emergency services are witnessing a steady climb in stroke-related cases. At Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, daily visits for brain stroke symptoms have jumped dramatically. Hospital records now show 10 to 15 patients arriving each day. This number stood at just 2 to 4 cases daily before winter began.
Dr Surendra Kumar, Head of Neurology at RIMS, explains the critical connection. "Negligence in managing hypertension during extreme cold is proving fatal in several instances," he states. "The sudden temperature drop causes blood vessels to constrict. This leads to elevated blood pressure levels, increasing the risk of serious complications like brain stroke and cardiac events." Many patients arriving with stroke symptoms have a history of unmanaged or poorly controlled hypertension.
Younger Patients Now Affected
Sadar Hospital has observed a similar trend. Cases there have increased by nearly 20 to 30% during the cold wave. Neurologist Dr Vikas Kumar notes a concerning shift. "While we earlier saw an average of five stroke patients daily, that number has now doubled to around ten," he reports. The neurology ward, ICU, and emergency departments continue to see a steady rise.
Dr Kumar highlights another worrying development. "Stroke was previously common among people above 45 years. Now we are increasingly seeing individuals between 25 and 45 years being affected." This indicates the cold wave's impact extends across age groups.
Medical Experts Explain the Physiology
Dr Deepak Chandra Prakash, Senior Consultant in Neurology at Bhagwan Mahavir Manipal Hospitals, provides further insight. "Stroke incidence during winter rises by nearly 30% due to cold-induced physiological changes," he explains. His hospital has recorded a surge in brain stroke admissions, with three to four patients being admitted daily.
Elderly individuals above 50 years remain the most vulnerable group. Intracerebral haemorrhage appears more prevalent in winter. Ischaemic strokes show a relatively steady occurrence throughout the year with a slight seasonal increase.
Critical Factors and the Golden Hour
Medical professionals observe that winter amplifies hypertension's impact. This makes it a critical factor behind rising severe neurological and cardiac cases across healthcare facilities. Experts point to several physiological mechanisms.
- The extreme cold leads to a rise in blood pressure
- Blood thickens in low temperatures
- These changes adversely affect blood circulation to the brain
- The combined effect significantly increases stroke risk
Uncontrolled hypertension, high cholesterol levels, and unhealthy lifestyle patterns remain major contributing factors. Medical authorities emphasize the importance of timely intervention. The initial 3 to 6 hours after symptom onset, often called the golden hour, prove crucial. Delays during this period can result in permanent paralysis or long-term disability.
Healthcare providers urge residents to monitor blood pressure regularly during cold spells. They recommend maintaining warmth and seeking immediate medical attention for any stroke symptoms. The current situation underscores the need for greater public awareness about cold weather health risks.
