Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath suffers ‘mild stroke’: Understanding causes, recovery and prevention tips

Nithin Kamath, co-founder and CEO of Zerodha, revealed on Monday that he had experienced a ‘mild stroke‘ six weeks ago. He attributed this stroke to a combination of factors, including the recent passing of his father, poor sleep, exhaustion, dehydration, and excessive exercise.

During this challenging period, Kamath contemplated how even someone who is fit and takes care of themselves can be affected by a stroke. One of the significant pieces of advice he received from his doctor was to ‘shift the gears down a bit.’ ‘From being absent-minded to more present-minded. So, 3 to 6 months for full recovery,’ Kamath wrote in his post.

To gain a deeper understanding of this health issue, we consulted experts.

What is a stroke?

According to Dr Jyoti Bala Sharma, director of neurology at Fortis Hospital, Noida, a stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. ‘Brain cells or neurons do not receive oxygen and nutrients, leading to their death.

Approximately 1.9 million neurons die every minute. As time progresses, a larger area of the brain is affected. Since all bodily functions are controlled by the brain, the functions controlled by the damaged brain are lost,’ she told indianexpress.com.

This can lead to various neurological deficits, said Dr PN Renjen, senior consultant, neurology, at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi. ‘Paralysis, difficulty speaking, or cognitive impairment can occur. Early intervention is crucial to minimise brain damage and improve outcomes for stroke patients.’