What are the signs of a stroke?

FAST: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency. Other signs: sudden severe headache, sudden vision loss, sudden balance problems, sudden numbness, sudden confusion. The keyword is "sudden" — symptoms appearing within seconds to minutes.

Can Gini treat stroke?

Gini provides emergency stabilisation, urgent CT, initial medical management, and rapid coordination with neurosurgical centres for thrombectomy. For clot-removal surgery, Gini coordinates transfer to PGIMER or Fortis Mohali. Post-acute stroke care, rehab, and prevention are managed at Gini.

What is the fastest route to emergency stroke care from Chandigarh?

If thrombectomy is likely needed (severe symptoms, large-vessel occlusion suspected), going directly to PGIMER stroke unit may save time. For uncertain or milder symptoms, Gini Sector 69 Mohali provides 18-minute access from Chandigarh with immediate CT and rapid coordination.

Is stroke treatment expensive?

Acute stroke admission with rehab: ₹2–5 lakhs at Gini for typical 7–14 day stay. Thrombectomy at neurosurgical centres: ₹5–10 lakhs. CGHS cashless. Insurance cashless under all major partners.

What happens after a stroke?

Acute hospital stay 7–14 days. Inpatient rehabilitation 2–6 weeks for physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Outpatient rehab continues for 3–6 months. Most recovery happens in the first 3 months but improvement continues for up to a year. Secondary prevention (BP, diabetes, cholesterol, anticoagulation) is critical to prevent recurrence.

Stroke Symptoms — When to Call Emergency in Mohali | Gini Hospital

🚨 SUSPECTED EMERGENCY?

Don't read — call. Our 24/7 ICU and Emergency line: +91 82888 43800. Gini Advanced Care Hospital, Sector 69 Mohali.

FAST

FAST — The Acronym That Saves Lives

F · A · S · T

F — Face drooping. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A — Arm weakness. Ask them to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward or fail to lift?
S — Speech difficulty. Ask them to repeat a simple sentence. Is speech slurred or strange?
T — Time to call emergency. If any of the above — call 82888 43800 immediately. Note the time symptoms started.

Don't Dismiss

Symptoms People Often Dismiss

Beyond FAST, stroke can present as:

Sudden severe headache — described as "the worst headache of my life" or "thunderclap." Often subarachnoid haemorrhage.
Sudden vision loss — in one eye or one half of the visual field.
Sudden balance problems — difficulty walking, dizziness, or falling for no reason.
Sudden numbness — in face, arm, or leg, especially on one side.
Sudden confusion — difficulty understanding speech or expressing thoughts.

The keyword is "sudden." Symptoms that appear within seconds to minutes are stroke until proven otherwise.

Golden Hour

The Golden Window

Thrombolysis (clot-busting drug): Effective within 4.5 hours of symptom onset for ischaemic stroke. After 4.5 hours, the risk of bleeding outweighs the benefit.

Thrombectomy (mechanical clot removal): Effective up to 6 hours (sometimes up to 24 hours in selected cases with imaging confirmation). Done at specialised neurosurgical centres.

Every 30 minutes of delay reduces the chance of independent recovery. Time is brain.

What We Do

What Gini Does and Doesn't Do for Stroke

Gini provides:

Immediate emergency stabilisation — airway, oxygen, IV access, blood pressure management.
Urgent CT scan to differentiate ischaemic stroke (clot) from haemorrhagic stroke (bleed).
Initial medical management.
Rapid coordination with PGIMER or other neurosurgical centres for thrombectomy or neurosurgery if needed.
Post-acute stroke rehabilitation, secondary prevention, and risk-factor management.

For clot-removal surgery (thrombectomy), Gini coordinates rapid transfer to a neurosurgical centre.

Be honest with your family: the closest neurosurgical centres for thrombectomy in Chandigarh Tricity are PGIMER and Fortis Mohali. If a stroke is suspected and the patient meets thrombectomy criteria, going directly to a stroke-thrombectomy centre saves time.

While Waiting

What to Do While Waiting for Help

Note the exact time symptoms started. Critical for treatment decisions.
Keep the patient calm and lying down. Head slightly elevated.
Don't give food, water, or medications. Risk of choking if swallowing is impaired.
If unconscious: recovery position (on their side) to keep airway clear.
If trained, basic first aid for breathing.
Bring all current medications with you to hospital.
Note any anticoagulants (warfarin, rivaroxaban, apixaban, dabigatran) — affects treatment options.