Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta conducted a successful, community-driven Stroke Awareness Cyclothon on Sunday, December 10, 2023. The cyclothon aimed to shed light on stroke, the leading cause of disability and second leading cause of death in India. The community drive event commenced at 6:00 am from the hospital premises on Bannerghatta Road, Covering a 13 km stretch with four touch-points along the route, the cycolothon aimed to engage the community and create awareness.
In conjunction with the Cyclothon, Fortis Bannerghatta Road introduced “Code FAST,” an emergency stroke code for faster coordination between all the teams involved in the management of acute stroke patients. BEFAST is also an acronym used worldwide encapsulating sudden loss of Balance, loss of vision (E for eye), Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and the crucial aspect of timely action (Time) for easy and early recognition of stroke symptoms.
This campaign plays a crucial role in increasing awareness in the community about the importance of individuals with stroke symptoms reaching stroke-ready hospitals like fortis BG Road to avail emergency treatment in a time-bound manner for better outcomes. The campaign also dealt with spreading the message that stroke can be preventable with risk factors like disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, OSA, etc. It was stressed lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and alcohol, maintaining a healthy diet, regular physical activity, relaxation exercises, better stress management etc.
With approximately 1,85,000 strokes reported annually in India (one in every 40 seconds and one stroke-related death in every 4 minutes) — today’s event became a rallying point for the community to unite and cycle for a cause.
Dr Guruprasad Hosurkar, Additional Director – Neurology, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road said– Code FAST isn’t just about swift stroke response; it emphasizes preventing strokes by addressing controllable risk factors. In neurology, it urges understanding and proactive management of factors like diet, inactivity and stress. Every heartbeat becomes pivotal in the fight against strokes, making cardiovascular health a priority. The Stroke Awareness Cyclothon organized by Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta is a commendable initiative that raises awareness about this critical health issue. By highlighting the importance of timely action and promoting a healthy lifestyle, this event has the potential to save countless lives.”
Dr. Vivek Jawali, an Internationally renowned Cardiac Surgeon and chief guest, said, “Similar to the management and complete reversal of a heart attack through interventions within its golden hour, conditions like brain strokes and paralysis are also fully reversible with intelligent interventions within the critical first four hours. This feat is achievable in a stroke-ready hospital equipped with a smart stroke unit housing a cath lab, CT, and neurointerventionalists – a setup present at Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta. At Fortis Hospitals, we endorse comprehensive treatment methodologies, encompassing preventive measures. Spreading awareness is a crucial part of our strategy to tackle these health challenges.”
Mr. Akshay Oleti, Business Head, Fortis Hospitals, Bengaluru, added, “Reflecting on the success of the Cyclothon, I am thrilled to witness our community uniting to raise awareness about serious health conditions. At Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta, we are dedicated to raising awareness, especially concerning stroke, a preventable yet significant health challenge in our nation. Through initiatives like the Cyclothon and the introduction of ‘Code FAST,’ our goal is to highlight preventive measures, indicators of strokes, and empower individuals with knowledge for prompt action. We express our gratitude for the active engagement and collaborative support in advancing these meaningful healthcare endeavors.”