When Combating Strokes, Every Second Counts

Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the country. In recognizing this fact, the and Partnership Gwinnett, made strokes the topic of their second 2011 health council series event held Friday at the Gwinnett Tech campus. The program, at this event, entitled Stroke: Every Second Counts informed and educated the public about signs and symptoms of a stroke, risk factors, treatment and rehabilitation.

A stroke occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is stopped by a blocked or burst blood vessel. There are two types of strokes, hemorrhagic and ischemic. Hemorrhagic strokes occur when blood leaks into brain tissue. Ischemic strokes occur when a clot stops the blood supply to an area of the brain.

“Time loss is brain loss. The important thing to realize about a stroke is that a stroke is a brain attack; a true medical emergency,” said Dr. Scott Chandler, Neurologist and Sub-Investigator of Neuroscience at Gwinnett Medical Center.

“Many people are in denial about a stroke. They think they slept on their arm wrong and the symptoms will go away. Remember the three R’s and you should be in good stead: reduce your risk of stroke, recognize signs and symptoms of stroke and respond. It is very important to get into a hospital as soon as possible,” Dr. Chandler said.

In identifying signs and symptoms accounting for 80% of all strokes act FAST. Check stroke victim for Facial droop by asking to see teeth and a smile. Detect Arm drift by asking them to extend arms with palms down and eyes closed. Listen for Speech problems they may have when saying a sentence like, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks." And finally, Time matters, call 911 immediately.

Every 40 seconds someone has a stroke.  It is estimated that nearly 800,000 people in this country alone will have a stroke. Statistically 6.4 million Americans are stroke survivors and strokes are the leading cause of disability in the U.S.

“When I had my stroke three years ago at the age of 43, I did not have any of the risk factors associated with strokes. I thought I was suffering from a bad migraine headache. My husband took me to the emergency room. They admitted me and put me on blood thinners throughout the night. As I was sitting up after an MRI of the head and neck, I had a stroke. I lost my whole left side including some speech,” said Karen Stewart, stroke survivor and former ultrasound technician at Gwinnett Medical Center for 23 years.

Stewart like others attributes their survival to receiving immediate medical attention. At Gwinnett Medical Center on average patients suffering from a stroke receive treatment with clot busting medication, tPA, within sixty seven minutes. The drug tPA has been used in the treatment of heart attacks for a number of years. In 1995, after studies were conducted, tPA was determined to aide in breaking up clots causing strokes. The window for effective administering of tPA is three to four and a half hours from onset of a stroke.

“There was a time, ten, twenty years ago, when all we could do was to give patients an aspirin and see how they are doing in the morning. We had little to offer. But now with clot busting drugs like tPA, and discoveries in drug studies, we can do so much more,” said Dr. Chandler.

It is estimated that in this country 75 billion dollars are spent every year on costs associated with strokes. This spending is a contributor to the economic hardship plaguing the country within its healthcare system.

Everyone can play a part in reducing this burden by making lifestyle changes, in diet and by exercising, that will lower the risks of having a stroke. Controllable risk factors include knowing and treating high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, elevated blood cholesterol and a type of stroke known as transient ischemic attacks. Other controllable factors are cigarette smoking, obesity, lack of exercising and drug use.

Just as advances have been made in identifying and treating strokes, improvements have also been implemented in the rehabilitation process. The Gwinnett Medical Center Glancy Rehabilitation Center provides patients with comprehensive and customized after treatment plans to facilitate recovery.

“We have specialist at the rehab center in the different disciplines that work with patients having difficulties with walking, speech and language problems, swallowing issues, and activities associated with taking care of themselves.  These specialists include occupational, physical, and respiratory therapists. And because many of our patients suffer from depression, neuropsychological services are also provided,” said Dr. Sunil Bhole, Medical Director of Glancy Rehabilitation Center at Gwinnett Medical Center.

Stewart said rehab is an on-going process and it plays a vital role in transitioning stroke survivors into their “new normal” lives.