KMC Hospital Mangaluru Highlights Rising Stroke Risk Among Young Adults
Mangaluru: KMC Hospital Mangaluru has raised concerns over the increasing incidence of stroke among young adults and stressed the importance of recognising early warning signs and seeking immediate medical attention.
The hospital’s comprehensive stroke-ready unit, comprising neurologists, neurosurgeons, interventional neuroradiologists, critical care specialists, emergency medicine specialists and rehabilitation experts, highlighted the need to strengthen public awareness, particularly among first responders who are often the first to assist when a stroke occurs.
The programme was held as part of KMC Hospital Mangaluru’s “30 Golden Years of Excellence in Stroke Care”, marking three decades of dedicated stroke services. The hospital’s comprehensive stroke team has treated more than 25,000 stroke cases to date and provides round-the-clock care through Neurology, Neurosurgery, Interventional Radiology, Critical Care, Emergency Medicine and Neuro Rehabilitation services.
Speaking on the occasion, Pramod Kunder, Cluster Director, KMC Hospital Mangaluru, said, “Stroke is no longer confined to older age groups; we are witnessing an alarming increase in young adults being affected. The most significant challenge is that people often fail to identify early warning signs or delay seeking care. With stroke, every single minute matters. Through this forum, we want to take that message beyond the hospital and help people understand what they can do when someone develops sudden neurological symptoms. Public awareness and immediate transfer to a designated Stroke-Ready Hospital during the golden hour can significantly alter clinical outcomes and prevent irreversible brain damage.”
Highlighting the changing clinical trends, Dr. Z. K. Misri, HoD and Consultant – Neurology, said, “Having managed more than 25,000 stroke cases, our team is observing a clear upward trend among people in the 30 to 50 age group. Our dedicated stroke unit operates 24×7 with four full-time neurologists, three neurosurgeons, an interventional neuroradiologist, critical care specialists, emergency medicine specialists and a specialised neuro-rehabilitation team, supported by an advanced radiodiagnosis centre. Unmanaged stress, sedentary lifestyles and early-onset hypertension are increasingly contributing to vascular events among young adults, making rapid triage essential.”
Describing the importance of early recognition, Dr. Shivanand Pai, Consultant – Neurology, said, “It is vital for families and first responders to recognise B.E.F.A.S.T. indicators such as sudden loss of balance, visual changes, facial drooping, arm weakness and slurred speech. Time is a crucial factor in ensuring that a patient reaches a Stroke-Ready Hospital within the golden hour of symptom onset. Patients frequently make the mistake of waiting for transient numbness or focal deficits to resolve on their own. Any sudden neurological symptom must be treated as an absolute emergency.”
Emphasising acute medical management, Dr. Rohit Pai, Consultant – Neurology, said, “Over the past decade, the incidence of stroke among young adults has been alarming. Administering intravenous thrombolysis within the narrow 4.5-hour therapeutic window remains a standard treatment for dissolving clots and restoring cerebral perfusion in acute ischemic strokes. Beyond immediate stabilisation, comprehensive secondary stroke prevention—addressing lifestyle factors, blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and underlying cardiac conditions—is crucial to prevent recurrence.”
Discussing endovascular stroke therapy, Dr. Keerthiraj B, Consultant – Interventional Neuroradiology, said, “Through minimally invasive mechanical thrombectomy, clots causing large-vessel occlusion can be mechanically removed, restoring blood flow to the brain without losing critical time. This advanced interventional radiology capability can extend the treatment window up to 24 hours in selected patients, offering life-changing outcomes that standard intravenous therapy alone may not achieve.”
Addressing surgical interventions, Dr. Mayur Kamath, Consultant – Neurosurgery, said, “Surgical decompression and vascular interventions can be lifesaving when severe ischemic strokes cause dangerous brain swelling or when acute haemorrhagic strokes require rapid clot evacuation. Timely surgical intervention helps relieve elevated intracranial pressure, protect salvageable brain tissue and significantly reduce mortality in critical cases.”
Outlining the emergency response network, Dr. Jeedhu Radhakrishnan, Cluster Head – Emergency Medicine, said, “Our peripheral network of five emergency centres across Kundapur, Surathkal, Puttur, Kakkinje and Cheruvathur acts as the first line of defence in stabilising emergencies, including stroke. With a dedicated fleet of six Advanced Life Support ambulances staffed by trained trauma technicians and continuously monitored by specialist doctors during transit, we effectively extend the golden hour from the patient’s location to the Stroke-Ready Hospital.”
Elaborating on transit and post-intervention stabilisation, Dr. Jayesh Kamath, Consultant – ICU and Critical Care, said, “Dedicated neuro-intensive care monitoring is paramount to controlling secondary cerebral oedema, preventing reperfusion injury and stabilising systemic organ function following intervention. Maintaining strict haemodynamic and metabolic control during the acute post-stroke phase is directly linked to better functional recovery.”
Focusing on post-stroke rehabilitation, Dr. Abraham Joshua, Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, said, “Multidisciplinary neuro-rehabilitation should commence at the bedside within 24 to 48 hours of clinical stabilisation. Early, tailored physical, occupational and speech therapies harness neuroplasticity, helping stroke survivors regain motor strength, functional independence and overall quality of life.”
The expert panel comprised Dr. Z. K. Misri, HoD and Consultant – Neurology; Dr. Shivanand Pai, Consultant – Neurology; Dr. Rohit Pai, Consultant – Neurology; Dr. Arpita Shrivastava, Consultant – Neurology; Dr. Mayur Kamath, Consultant – Neurosurgery; Dr. Keerthiraj B, Consultant – Interventional Neuroradiology; Dr. Jeedhu Radhakrishnan, Cluster Head – Emergency Medicine; Dr. Jayesh Kamath, Consultant – ICU and Critical Care; and Dr. Abraham Joshua, Professor, Department of Physiotherapy.
The programme was followed by a first-responder awareness session for volunteers, focusing on recognising stroke symptoms, dispelling myths and misconceptions about stroke, and understanding the immediate steps to be taken when a stroke victim is identified.
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