Stroke Helpline in Kottayam

Common signs are sudden facial drooping, weakness or numbness in one arm or leg, slurred or confused speech, sudden trouble with vision, severe dizziness or loss of balance, and a sudden severe headache. Use the BE FAST check: Balance, Eye changes Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call. Call the Stroke Helpline on +91 9496555800 even if the symptoms ease, because they can be a warning of a stroke to come.

During an acute stroke, nearly two million brain cells are lost every minute. Any delay can lead to permanent brain damage or disability. Caritas Hospital follows a tightly coordinated Acute Stroke Protocol designed to save every possible minute.

• A clinic may not have urgent brain imaging or emergency stroke treatment.
• Referral and transfer can add delays before treatment begins.
• Delays can reduce access to time sensitive treatment.
• Going directly to a stroke ready hospital avoids these delays.

• A trained Acute Stroke Team available in Emergency, 24 hours a day.
• Rapid brain imaging to tell a blockage from a bleed.
• Facilities to assess eligibility and begin emergency treatment at once.
• A clear neurointervention pathway when advanced treatment is needed.

Yes. The Caritas Stroke Helpline is a 24 hour hyperacute stroke service, and a dedicated Acute Stroke Team is ready in the Emergency department when the patient arrives. Early treatment matters because brain tissue is lost every minute a stroke goes untreated.

Caritas Hospital offers complete stroke care under one roof at Caritas Neuro Sciences. Imaging includes CT with CT Angiogram and Brain Perfusion Study, which helps doctors identify brain tissue that may still be saved, and 3 Tesla MRI. Treatment includes clot dissolving medicine, clot removal in the Hybrid Cath Lab and neurosurgery. Care continues in the 19 bedded Neuro Critical Care ICU and the Neuro Rehabilitation Unit, so patients do not need to move between hospitals for emergency treatment, intensive care and rehabilitation.

Neurologists, Neurosurgeons, Neurointensivists, an Interventional Radiologist, Neuro Physiatrists and Speech and Swallowing Therapists are available 24/7, with a dedicated Acute Stroke Team in the Emergency department.

Call the Caritas Stroke Helpline on (+91 9496555800) immediately. A stroke is a medical emergency and first aid cannot replace hospital treatment. While you wait for help:

• Note the time. Note when the symptoms started, or when the person was last seen well. Doctors need this to decide on treatment.
• Keep the person calm and still. Lay them down with the head and shoulders slightly raised, and loosen tight clothing.
• Give nothing by mouth. No food, water or medicines, including aspirin, as swallowing may be affected and the type of stroke is not yet known.
• Do not let them walk, drive or sleep it off.
• Watch their breathing. If they are unconscious but breathing, turn them on their side. If they stop breathing, start CPR if you are trained.
• Keep their medicine list and medical records ready for the stroke team.