'Aashiqui' Star Rahul Roy In ICU After Brain Stroke: Know How To Identify The Signs

Actor Rahul Roy, renowned for headlining the 1990 blockbuster Aashiqui, has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Nanavati Hospital, Mumbai. According to reports, the 52-year-old suffered a brain stroke on the sets of his upcoming film LAC - Live The Battle in Kargil, reportedly due to extreme weather conditions on the shoot location. Sources said the actor is now "recovering."

Roy's sudden health condition has led to an increased focus on the signs and symptoms of identifying a brain stroke and what it entails. Here are some key things to know about this medical emergency. 

What Is A Brain Stroke?

A stroke is a cerebrovascular episode that requires immediate medical attention. It arises when the blood supply to the brain reduces or is interrupted, preventing the flow of oxygen. This can lead to the death of brain cells, which is why the brain stroke should be treated as a health emergency. Any delay in treatment can lead to brain damage and other physical complications.

Delhi-based doctor Rimy Prashad, DNB General Surgery, speaking to SheThePeople says, that a stroke can either be hemorrhagic or ischaemic. "The most common cause of a stroke is hypertension. It is important to identify the type - hemorrhagic or ischaemic - because that is significant to the kind of treatment the patient will receive."

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is identified as a medical condition in which the pressure of blood against the artery walls is very high. According to Dr Sheldon Sheps, MD, hypertension is especially exacerbated in cold climates "because low temperatures cause your blood vessels to narrow — which increases blood pressure."

Also Read: Diet Soft Drinks Linked To Stroke, Heart Attack Risk: Study

How To Identify The Symptoms Of A Brain Stroke?

Prashad, explaining the symptoms that one can identify to note the onset of a stroke, says, "Signs and symptoms depend on the area of the brain involved." It commonly presents itself with either physical weakness or paralysis of one half of the body. There may also be a loss of bowel bladder control."

Some other signs to look out for and visit the doctor when noticed are: 

• Trouble in speech or slurring, difficulty in understanding others' speech
• Difficulty in walking or numbness in parts of the body
• Inability to smile on both ends of the mouth, one side of the mouth droops
• Dizziness or headache
• Suddenly impaired vision

In Roy's case, Indian Express reports that the stroke he suffered has caused Aphasia, meaning an inability to communicate properly through speech.

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Who Is Rahul Roy?

Rahul Roy is an Indian model, actor and producer, who is best known for his breakthrough debut in Mahesh Bhatt's 1990 blockbuster Aashiqui. Post his first film, he went on to star in several others like Junoon, Gumrah, Naseeb and Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee. Roy participated in and won the first season of reality television show Bigg Boss.

It was recently reported that the actor suffered a brain stroke while shooting for an upcoming project in Kargil. The film, titled LAC: Live the Battle, is being directed by Nitin Kumar Gupta and co-produced by Chitra Vakil Sharma and Nivedita Basu.