A 53-year-old man from Mumbai experienced a medical emergency while shopping that almost killed him. He collapsed suddenly and it turned out that he suffered an acute stroke which was apparently triggered by an ordinary neck and shoulder pain.

Together with his wife, the man was in the vicinity of Grant Road when without warning, he lost the ability to move the right side of his body and his speech became unclear. His wife along with the people around him, took a quick action and brought him to Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in 20 minutes — which was a critical factor according to doctors that eventually saved the man’s life.

Medical professionals recognized the stroke right away and carried out an emergency neuro-interventional procedure to regain blood supply to the brain. During the critical “golden window” for stroke treatment, a stent was inserted into the blocked artery and the obstruction was removed.

Doctors said the rapid response proved decisive. The symptoms of the patient were able to be treated at the time of the surgery which significantly reduced the extent of brain damage. Next day the recovery of sensations and motor functions in the limbs began and the remarkable enhancement of speech was noticed.

Manish Upadhyay, the patient from the western suburbs of Mumbai, told that he was receiving physiotherapy for shoulder pain just before the event. “After the physiotherapy session, I went out with my wife.” Suddenly, one side of my body went numb and I collapsed,” he recalled.

Upon arrival at the hospital, an emergency MRI confirmed an ischemic stroke caused by a tear in the inner layer of the carotid artery — a condition known as arterial dissection. This tear allowed blood to collect between artery walls, forming a blockage that cut off blood supply to the brain.

Dr. Vipul Gupta, Director of Neuro-Interventional Surgery, said it is extremely rare for stroke patients in India to reach a hospital within the treatment window and receive immediate restoration of blood flow. “The patient movement during the intervention itself and normal speech next morning were the most encouraging signs,” he said.

Dr. Manish Chhabria, Senior Consultant in Neurology, stated that first the patient received a clot-dissolving injection and then was taken to a cath lab for thrombectomy and stenting.“Swift coordination across teams ensured blood flow was restored. Within two days, the entire neurological deficit had resolved,” he said.

The complex procedure was completed in just over 30 minutes. A follow-up MRI before discharge showed that much of the initial brain damage had reversed — an uncommon outcome in major stroke cases.

Doctors say the case highlights the importance of recognising early stroke symptoms and seeking immediate medical care, as speed remains the most critical factor in preventing long-term disability.