Nithin Kamath, the founder of Zerodha, recently disclosed that he had a mild stroke six weeks ago due to stress, poor sleep, exhaustion, dehydration, and excessive exercise.
He is currently on the path to recovery, experiencing improvements in his facial droop and cognitive functions, with an expected full recovery timeline of three to six months, he said.
In simple terms, a stroke is a medical condition in which the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients.
This can happen due to a blockage (ischaemic stroke) or the bursting or leaking of a blood vessel (haemorrhagic stroke). Symptoms include trouble speaking, paralysis, and more.
Dr Guruprasad Hosurkar, additional director of neurology at Fortis Hospital, Bengaluru — said both stress and excessive exercise could contribute to the risk of stroke.
Dr Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist from Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad, added that stress might indirectly increase stroke risk by fostering unhealthy behaviours.
Talking about over exercising Guruprasad added that while regular physical activity was crucial, sudden bursts of intense exertion could temporarily spike blood pressure.
Doctors emphasised the connection between stress, inadequate sleep, and the risk of stroke. “Sleep is a critical period for the brain to repair and regenerate.”