The Connection Between COVID-19 and Stroke

Over the COVID-19 period, doctors in New York are seeing young persons in their 30s to 40s in the Emergency Room suffering from a severe stroke. They have been at home during the lockdown and are apparently well. But suddenly, they are unable to speak or move on one side of the body. Notably, many of them do not have the traditional risk factors for stroke but have been subsequently discovered to have contracted COVID-19.

Fortunately, strokes caused by blood clots in larger vessels can be effectively treated when the patients are detected early. While this trend of severe stroke affecting young persons with COVID-19 in Singapore is not evident, there is call for early medical attention when symptoms of difficulty with speech or movement on one side of body occurs.

Recognise stroke signs using the F.A.S.T acronym. Additional symptoms also include 5 Suddens – Sudden numbness, Sudden confusion, Sudden trouble seeing, Sudden trouble walking and Sudden severe headache. So be prepared and do not hesitate to call 995 for a better outcome for the patient.

Article contributed by Dr Mak Koon Hou, Board Member, Singapore Heart Foundation.