What Is a Stroke?
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is suddenly interrupted — either due to a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or a ruptured blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Every second counts during a stroke event, as brain cells begin to die rapidly without adequate blood flow. At CBB Hospital (Cochin Hospital for Brain and Behavioral Health), Kochi, our specialized stroke management team is trained to deliver rapid, evidence-based treatment to minimize brain damage and maximize recovery.
Warning Signs of Stroke — Act FAST
Recognizing a stroke early can save lives. Use the FAST acronym to identify warning signs:
- F – Face Drooping: One side of the face droops or feels numb. Ask the person to smile — is it uneven?
- A – Arm Weakness: One arm is weak or numb. Ask the person to raise both arms — does one drift downward?
- S – Speech Difficulty: Speech is slurred, strange, or the person is unable to speak at all.
- T – Time to Call: If any of these symptoms appear, call emergency services immediately.
Other symptoms include sudden severe headache, sudden loss of vision, confusion, dizziness, or loss of balance.
Types of Stroke We Treat
- Ischemic Stroke: The most common type (~85% of cases), caused by a blood clot blocking cerebral arteries.
- Hemorrhagic Stroke: Caused by a ruptured blood vessel leading to bleeding in or around the brain.
- Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Often called a “mini-stroke,” a TIA is a temporary blockage and a major warning sign of an impending stroke.
- Cryptogenic Stroke: Strokes with no clearly identifiable cause, requiring thorough diagnostic evaluation.
Our Stroke Management Approach
CBB Hospital follows international stroke care guidelines and operates a dedicated stroke care pathway that ensures rapid assessment, diagnosis, and treatment from the moment a patient arrives.
- Emergency Stroke Protocol: Our emergency team is on standby 24/7 to respond to acute stroke cases. Time-sensitive interventions like IV thrombolysis (clot-busting medication) are administered within the critical treatment window.
- Advanced Neuroimaging: CT scans and MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging are used to rapidly identify stroke type, location, and extent of damage.
- Mechanical Thrombectomy: For eligible ischemic stroke patients, we perform minimally invasive catheter-based procedures to physically remove clots from large cerebral arteries.
- Dedicated Stroke Unit: Patients are monitored in our specialized stroke unit with continuous neurological monitoring, ensuring early detection of complications.
- Secondary Stroke Prevention: After the acute event, our team identifies and manages risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and high cholesterol to prevent recurrence.
Stroke Risk Factors
Understanding your risk is the first step toward prevention. Common stroke risk factors include:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Heart disease and atrial fibrillation
- High cholesterol
- Smoking and tobacco use
- Obesity and physical inactivity
- Family history of stroke
- Prior history of TIA or stroke
Stroke Rehabilitation
Recovery from stroke often requires intensive, multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Our neurorehabilitation team at CBB Hospital works with patients to regain lost functions and improve quality of life. Rehabilitation services include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and psychological support for the patient and family.
Why Choose CBB Hospital for Stroke Care?
- Experienced team of neurologists and stroke specialists
- 24/7 emergency stroke response
- Advanced neuroimaging and intervention capabilities
- Dedicated stroke unit with continuous monitoring
- Comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation
- Multidisciplinary care involving neurology, cardiology, physiotherapy, and psychology
- Patient and caregiver education programs
Book an Appointment
Our team is ready to help — whether you are a concerned parent, a teenager seeking confidential support, or a family caring for an elderly loved one.
📞 +91-9048215757 / +91-9048213838
📧 contact@cbbhospital.com
📍 CBB Hospital, Kailas Colony, HMT Colony, North Kalamassery, Kochi, Kerala – 682021
