One in four people will experience a stroke in their lifetime,” notes neurologist Dr Shirish Hastak of Global Hospital ahead, of World Stroke Day, which is observed on Sunday. The day aims to raise awareness about what a stroke is and what to do when you or your loved ones display symptoms.

Dr Hastak, who also leads the Mumbai Stroke Society, says that there is limited city-based data on how many people, on an average, suffer a stroke every day. “However,” he adds, “there is enough data to suggest that every 20 seconds, one Indian suffers a stroke, which totals about 4,320 people a day.” There are three common types of strokes: ischemic, haemorrhagic, and transient ischemic attack. The most common one is ischemic stroke. “Failing to recognise the initial symptoms can lead to potentially fatal complications,” he adds.