{"id":171,"date":"2026-03-26T05:51:51","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T05:51:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mercurreyhospital.com\/blog\/?p=171"},"modified":"2026-03-26T05:51:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T05:51:51","slug":"stroke-warning-signs-you-should-never-ignore-a-guide-from-mercurreys-neuroscience-unit-thane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mercurreyhospital.com\/blog\/stroke-warning-signs-you-should-never-ignore-a-guide-from-mercurreys-neuroscience-unit-thane\/","title":{"rendered":"Stroke Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore – A Guide from Mercurrey’s Neuroscience Unit, Thane"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every year, thousands of Indians suffer from strokes\u00a0 and many of them could have been saved if someone had recognised the warning signs early. A stroke is not just a medical emergency. It is a race against time. The brain begins to lose nearly two million neurons every single minute during a stroke, making immediate action absolutely critical.<\/span><\/p>\n

At Mercurrey Hospital<\/strong><\/a>, our dedicated <\/span>neuroscience treatment in Thane<\/b><\/a> is led by Dr. Nilesh Potdar, M.S. MCH (Neuro), a specialist with deep expertise in neurological conditions including stroke, brain injuries, and complex nervous system disorders. In this guide, Dr. Potdar and the team at Mercurrey Hospital walk you through everything you need to know about recognising a stroke because knowing the signs could save someone\u2019s life.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Exactly Is a Stroke?<\/b><\/h2>\n

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is suddenly disrupted\u00a0 either by a blocked artery (ischaemic stroke, accounting for around 87% of cases) or by a burst blood vessel (haemorrhagic stroke). Without blood, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin to die rapidly.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is also a condition called a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA), commonly called a \u2018mini-stroke\u2019, where symptoms appear briefly and resolve on their own. A TIA should never be dismissed\u00a0 it is a serious red flag that a major stroke may be imminent. The <\/span>neuroscience treatment in Thane<\/b><\/a> at Mercurrey Hospital is fully equipped to evaluate and manage both TIAs and full strokes with urgency and precision.<\/span><\/p>\n

The FAST Test: Recognise a Stroke in Seconds<\/b><\/h2>\n

The most widely used tool for identifying stroke is the FAST acronym. If you notice any of the following signs in yourself or someone around you, call emergency services immediately:<\/span><\/p>\n

F \u2013 Face Drooping:<\/b> Ask the person to smile. Is one side of the face drooping or numb? An uneven smile is a classic warning sign.<\/span><\/p>\n

A \u2013 Arm Weakness:<\/b> Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward or feel weak? Sudden weakness or numbness in one arm or leg is a major indicator.<\/span><\/p>\n

S \u2013 Speech Difficulty:<\/b> Is their speech slurred, garbled, or are they unable to speak at all? Ask them to repeat a simple sentence and listen carefully.<\/span><\/p>\n

T \u2013 Time to Call Emergency:<\/b> If you observe ANY of the above signs, do not wait. Every second matters. Call emergency services or rush to the nearest hospital immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other Warning Signs You Must Not Overlook<\/b><\/h2>\n

While FAST covers the most visible signs, a stroke can present in other ways too. Dr. Nilesh Potdar, our senior neurologist providing <\/span>neuroscience treatment in Thane<\/b>, highlights these additional symptoms that patients and families often miss:<\/span><\/p>\n