As stroke incidents increase across India, healthcare professionals have cautioned that the hazardous air quality, elevated stress levels, and sedentary habits in Delhi may heighten the risk of stroke among its populace. This warning was issued at a World Stroke Day forum hosted by Mahajan Imaging and Labs, where specialists emphasized the need for improved awareness and proactive screening utilizing AI-driven health technologies. During the event on Wednesday, Dr.
MV Padma Srivastava, a Padma Shri awardee and former Head of Neurology at AIIMS in New Delhi, highlighted that prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Delhi, frequently exceeding WHO’s safe levels by 10 to 15 times, harms blood vessels and elevates stroke risk, particularly in individuals with diabetes or heart disease. Referencing a study published in the International Journal of Stroke, Dr. Srivastava, who is also the Chairperson of Neurology at Paras Health, noted that India records nearly 1.5 million stroke cases annually, yet only one in four individuals can access a hospital equipped to manage stroke emergencies.
Experts at the forum remarked that strokes are increasingly affecting younger individuals and urged a transition toward preventive, AI-enhanced healthcare systems to alleviate the stroke burden nationwide. “The profile of stroke patients has shifted. We are now witnessing strokes in younger, otherwise healthy adults due to stress, inadequate sleep, hypertension, and air pollution. Early intervention with AI-based diagnostics can significantly impact outcomes,” stated Dr. Harsh Mahajan, a Padma Shri awardee and the Founder and Managing Director of Mahajan Imaging and Labs. He further mentioned that innovative tools such as AI-based imaging and expedited lab tests can facilitate earlier detection of stroke risk.
AI-assisted CT and MRI scans are now capable of identifying minor clots or blockages in the brain that may otherwise go undetected. The experts also advocated for routine screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar to be integrated into annual health assessments, particularly for individuals with high-stress occupations or a family history of stroke. The panel concluded that implementing artificial intelligence and faster diagnostics for early detection could save countless lives and avert stroke-related disabilities in India.
