First 72 Hours After Stroke Crucial For Recovery

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- The first 72 hours after a stroke are the most critical period in determining a patient’s chances of recovery and survival.

Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City Emergency Medicine Consultant Dr Aaron Lai Kuo Huo said in a statement today that when an individual suffers a stroke, every second counts, as approximately 1.9 million neurons are lost for every minute that passes after the attack.

“The first 72 hours, often referred to as the ‘golden window period’, can determine whether a patient will make a full recovery or suffer long-term disability.

“When a stroke occurs, the brain is deprived of oxygen and brain cells begin to die. Rapid intervention, such as administering blood-thinning medication or performing thrombectomy, can save lives and preserve brain function, but such interventions must be carried out urgently,” he said.

He said studies have shown that patients who receive thrombolytic therapy within 4.5 hours of the onset of stroke symptoms have a significantly higher chance of functional recovery.

Dr Aaron added that stroke remains the world’s second leading cause of death, with more than 12.2 million new cases recorded globally in 2019 and that in Malaysia alone, there were 47,911 new stroke cases and nearly 20,000 deaths recorded in the same year.

He said younger Malaysians are increasingly at risk of stroke, largely due to unhealthy lifestyle habits such as poor diet, obesity, smoking and physical inactivity.

Studies have also found a 53.3 per cent and 50.4 per cent increase in stroke cases among men and women respectively, within the 35 to 39 age group.

“Younger patients often fail to recognise early stroke symptoms or delay seeking treatment, which leads to more severe outcomes,” said Dr Aaron.

Meanwhile, Sunway Medical Centre Consulatant Neurologist Dr Mohamad Imran Idris said that during the first 72 hours, medical specialists also focus on preventing complications such as secondary strokes or brain swelling.

He said that following treatments including thrombolytic therapy, doctors will closely monitor patients and perform repeated brain scans within the first 24 hours to ensure no bleeding or other complications occur.

During this period, key health factors such as blood pressure, blood sugar levels and hydration will be stabilised to minimise brain cell damage.

“Early rehabilitation is essential. The sooner therapy begins—typically within 48 to 72 hours—the greater the patient’s chances of regaining mobility and independence.

“Starting rehabilitation as soon as the patient is stabilised greatly improves the prospects of returning to normal life, including the ability to walk, swallow or speak again,” he said.

At the same time, he stressed that family involvement also plays a vital role, as stroke patients who receive strong emotional and physical support from their loved ones tend to recover more effectively.

-- BERNAMA