Focus on Conditions: Stroke
What is a stroke?
 We remember those who’ve had stroke and ‘were never the same’, completely disabled, or simply died. A stroke is caused by a blockage or a rupture in a blood vessel leading to the brain. There are two kinds of stroke. Ischemic Stroke is caused by a clot that blocks the flow of blood to the brain – just like a clot to the heart can cause a heart attack; a clot blocking blood to the brain can cause a stroke. A Hemorrhagic (bleeding) Stroke is caused by a blood vessel rupturing. The parts of the brain, the brain cells, that don’t get the blood intended for it because of the blockage or rupture, are affected, causing the disability and loss of function in the corresponding parts of the body (such as speech, memory, paralysis, etc).
If you think someone may be having a stroke, act FAST and do this simple test:
- F = Face: Ask the person to smile. Is one side of the face drooping down?
- A = Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- S = Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can he/she repeat the sentence correctly?
- T = Time: If the person shows any sign of these symptoms, time is important. Call 911 or get to a hospital fast. Brain cells are dying.
What is a TIA?
The full name is a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). If someone has been ‘lucky’ enough to have a TIA, it simply means that they have shown the symptoms of a stroke. It is a Transient (temporary) Ischemic (lack of blood flow) Attack and it can be a mixed blessing because it is a warning – a major warning – that something is wrong – but you and your physician now have a chance to address the cause and issues. TIAs are not a minor event. A person who has had a TIA is almost 10x more likely to have a stroke. Further tests and diagnosis must be made to find out why it happened – and how to prevent a ‘full-blown’ stroke.
Risk Factors and Assessments
There are several Risk Factors for stroke – controllable (the ones you and your physician can impact and reduce) and uncontrollable (the ones you’re ‘born with’ or cannot change).
Controllable Risk Factors
- High blood pressure
- Cigarette smoking
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Carotid or other artery diseases
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Other heart diseases
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- High cholesterol – Poor diet
- Lack of activity and exercise
- Obesity
Uncontrollable Risk Factors include:
- Age
- Family History
- Race
- Gender
- Prior Stroke, TIA or Heart Attack
How do I know if it’s a Stroke?
Unfortunately, many people don’t know or ignore the warning signs and miss the opportunity to be considered in new treatments that can minimize the effect of a stroke. Several treatments are very limited and must be given within a certain time. Call 9-1-1 and go to the nearest NYS Department of Health Designated Primary Stroke Center. Don’t sleep it off, don't wait untill you call your doctor, or phone a friend. Set pride aside. It’s better to be wrong about your symptoms then to suffer the consequences of not taking action at all. Stroke must be diagnosed quickly. The chance for treatment and recovery is based on how quickly someone arrives after symptoms begin. If you or someone you know has ANY of these warning signs, call 9-1-1 immediately. Do not delay!
Symptoms
- Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially if it’s on one side of the body
- OR sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- OR sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- OR sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination
- OR sudden, severe headache no known cause
This information was provided by the American Stroke Association, a division of American Heart Association
CHSLI programmatic offerings:
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has created an exclusive Stroke Center designation to improve the standard and access to quality of care for patients with a diagnosis of stroke. The nationally recognized criteria requires those hospitals have a strict protocol or program of care and a team in place to care for patients presenting with symptoms of stroke with a rapid, definitive treatment plan.
All of the hospitals within CHSLI have earned the NYS Stroke Center designation for the efforts of their Stroke Teams, comprised of a multidisciplinary group that includes emergency physicians, neurologists, neurosurgeons, radiologists, nurse practitioners, nurses, vascular surgeons, and rehabilitation specialists. The stroke team is available to respond for evaluation and treatment of stroke patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the Emergency Department.
All CHSLI hospitals participate in the American Heart Association’s GET WITH THE GUIDELINES initiative. The goal of the program is to improve the overall quality of care for stroke patients by improving acute stroke treatment and preventing future strokes and cardiovascular events.
Contact Information:
Designated Stroke Centers within CHSLI
St. Francis Hospital:
Paul Wright, MD, Director of Stroke Program 516-466-4700
Anthony Cohen, MD, Chief of Neurology 516-466-4700
St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center:
Mathew Chacko, MD, Chairman of Neurology and Stroke Program Director 631-360-0303
St. Charles Hospital:
Michael Sauter, MD, Chairman of Neurology and Stroke Program Director, 631-331-6667
Mercy Medical Center:
Jean-Robert Desrouleaux, MD 516-292-7443
Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center:
Daniel Cohen, MD, Chief of Neurology 631-666-4767 |
