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Bangalore, India – February 28, 2024
Medical experts have highlighted dehydration as a significant contributing factor for strokes, following revelations by Nithin Kamath, co-founder and CEO of Zerodha, who cited it as a possible reason behind his recent stroke.
Kamath disclosed his health scare in a post on social media platform X, where he revealed suffering a mild stroke around six weeks ago. Alongside factors such as poor sleep, exhaustion, and overworking out, he mentioned dehydration as a potential cause.
“While dehydration isn’t the direct cause of stroke, it can be a contributing factor mainly in cerebral venous strokes rather than arterial strokes,” stated Guruprasad Hosurkar, Additional Director of Neurology at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru.
“Dehydration involves losing more fluids from our bodies than what is gained, thereby causing an electrolyte imbalance and affecting various body functions. One of the least known effects of severe dehydration is that it possibly increases the chances for stroke development,” added Houssein, Medical Director at Holy Family Hospital, Bandra.
Experts explained that dehydration leads to the thickening of blood, slowing blood flow to organs including the brain, thereby increasing the risk of blood clot formation and stroke.
“During episodes of dehydration, blood thickens, making it difficult for the heart to effectively pump blood through the arteries. This may lead to low blood pressure as well as low supply of blood to the brain, thus increasing risks for developing strokes,” highlighted Houssein.
Moreover, inadequate hydration can narrow blood vessels in the brain, reducing blood flow and oxygen supply to vital brain tissues, alongside affecting temperature regulation, which might lead to heat-related illnesses.
A study published in the Lancet journal eBioMedicine last year indicated that insufficient hydration may increase the risk of chronic diseases and early death. Staying hydrated is crucial for overall health and reducing stroke risk, stressed the experts, advising individuals to drink plenty of fluids, especially during hot weather or physical activity.
While Kamath is renowned for his fitness advice on social media, his stroke raised questions about its occurrence in seemingly healthy individuals. “Stroke is usually associated with old age and pre-existing conditions like hypertension and diabetes. However, young people who seem healthy can become stroke victims,” explained Houssein, noting additional factors like congenital heart diseases or abnormalities in blood vessels to the brain.
Apart from dehydration, drug abuse, trauma, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases are among the reasons that can result in strokes among young and fit individuals.
Doctors emphasized the importance of regular medical check-ups, maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, particularly for those with a family history of strokes or heart diseases.
