Health Tip of the Month
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Rapid response key to stroke treatment
A fast response to a stroke can save a life and prevent permanent disability. To better understand your risks for stroke, know what the risk factors are and the signs of a stroke to watch for.
Anthony Alessi, MD, Chief of Neurology at Backus Hospital, said preventative care and a pre-hospital diagnosis are important in getting the right treatment immediately.
"It is all about empowering people to understand a stroke is occurring and having them call 911 immediately," he said.
Each year about 780,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, according to the American Heart Association. It is the third largest cause of death and a leading cause of serious disability.
The three signs to watch for are facial weakness on one side, slurred speech and weakness in the limbs, (for example, if you put your hand out and your arm falls). If you or someone you are with is having a stroke, you should immediately call 911. Keep track of when the symptoms started, to inform the emergency responders and hospital staff.
"The trend in stroke care is more aggressive now," Dr. Alessi said. "We call it a ‘brain attack' and there are certain time windows for different types of treatments."
There are clot-busting drugs that can be used within a certain time period or other treatments, such as blood thinners or even aspirin.
Stroke is a form of vascular disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel, which carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain, is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it starts to die. Depending on what part of the brain is affected, different disabilities, such as slurred speech, memory loss or paralysis, can result.
Risk factors for stroke include high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking and family history.