Every 45 seconds someone in America has a stroke, and every three minutes someone dies of one.
Those statistics, from the American Stroke Association, show that when it comes to treatment, time is everything. The longer you wait the more damage to the brain.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted – it’s often called a “brain attack.” The most common type is a so-called “ischemic stroke.”
In fact, about 85 percent of all strokes are ischemic. That’s when a blood clot or piece of plaque blocks a vessel to the brain and the brain doesn’t get the oxygen it needs. The brain cells can die within minutes.
A “hemorrhagic stroke” happens when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into the surrounding tissue.
Transient Ischemic Attack, or TIA, happens when there is a temporary interruption in the blood supply to the brain. Some people refer to TIA as a “mini-stroke.”
While it is not a stroke, about a third of people who have had one or more TIAs will later have a stroke. The symptoms are the same for both:
- Sudden weakness or numbness.
- Sudden severe headache .
- Sudden trouble speaking .
- Sudden of vision changes (particularly in one eye).
- Sudden dizziness or loss of balance.
It is important to seek emergency medical care if these symptoms are noticed as certain treatments can only be given within three hours of onset of symptoms but after medical evaluation.
Among the risk factors for stroke are being older than 55, having a family history and being male. While you can’t control those things, there is much you can do to reduce your risk of stroke. One important risk factor for stroke is high blood pressure (140/90 or higher).
Other controllable or treatable risks include smoking, having diabetes, excessive alcohol use, obesity, high lipids and irregular heart rhythm. It’s important to see your doctor and take responsibility for your health.
Stroke is a leading cause of disability in our country.
I specialize in helping people recover from stroke and know it can be the most difficult part. But there is one thing I stress to my patients – hope. How well someone recovers after stroke depends on multiple factors including the type of stroke, the severity and their overall health. The support of family and friends can make a world of difference in recovery.
Most stroke patients will need some rehabilitation—either in acute rehabilitation, skilled nursing, home health or outpatient.
This is typically started in the hospital. Recovery from stroke can take a lot of hard work and is an ongoing process over time.
St. Mary’s Medical Center hosts a stroke support group that meets the first Tuesday of the month, September through December, and February through June.
You can get more information on the group by calling 816-655-5687. The American Stroke Association’s website is www.strokeassociation.org.
