‘Time is tissue:’ every second counts to recognize a stroke and treat it
VAIL — It's no secret that life is short
and it is important to make every moment count; this is never truer than
when someone is having a stroke. A stroke is a "brain attack,"
according to the National Stroke Association, when blood flow to an area
of the brain is cut off. Brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin
to die; when these brain cells die, abilities controlled by that area of
the brain, including memory and muscle control, are lost. A stroke can
happen to anyone at any time.
Nearly
every 40 seconds, someone in the United States is having a stroke;
approximately 800,000 people will have a stroke in the U.S. this year
alone. At that time, the saying then becomes "time is tissue" and every
second counts. However, by being aware of the signs and symptoms of a
stroke, as well as the steps you should take if you suspect someone is
having a stroke, it's possible to win the race against time — and even
save a life.
Recognize the signs
In
order to help a person receive care(Not RESULTS?) quickly, it's important to
recognize the signs of a stroke. Thanks to the National Stroke
Association, we now have a mnemonic tool to remember how to recognize
stroke symptoms: "FAST."
“The most effective stroke treatments are only available if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within the first three hours of the first symptoms.”Sheila ShermanVail Health chief nursing officer
Use this acronym when assessing for stroke.
• F is for Face: Can
the person smile? Does one side of the face droop, as it would after a
dental appointment when your gums are injected with numbing medication?
• A is for Arms: Can the person raise his or her arms? Is one arm drifting downward?
• S is for Speech: Can the person repeat a simple phrase? Is his or her speech slurred or strange?
• T is for Time: If you observe any of these signs, then call 911 immediately.
"(Observing)
any of the above-mentioned signs should prompt you to call 911," Vail
Heath Chief Nursing Officer Sheila Sherman wrote in an email interview.
"Do not hesitate to call, as access to emergency medical care is key to
survival and optimal outcomes."
Using
the FAST acronym is an effective way to help determine if someone is
having a stroke, but there are other elements that should be taken into
consideration, particularly for women. Stroke is the third leading cause
of death for women (as opposed to the fifth leading cause of death for
men each year), Sherman said, and 55,000 more women have a stroke than
men. Additionally, women may report symptoms that are different than the
common symptoms. Some of these symptoms include loss of consciousness
or fainting; general weakness; difficulty or shortness of breath;
confusion, unresponsiveness or disorientation; sudden behavioral change;
agitation; hallucination or pain, seizures or nausea or vomiting.
"Unique
symptoms create a problem, as they are often not recognized as a stroke
symptom and treatment is often delayed," Sherman said. "The most
effective stroke treatments are only available if the stroke is
recognized and diagnosed within the first three hours of the first
symptoms."
A race against time
If you suspect someone is having a stroke, then call 911 immediately. That's when the medical professionals take over.
"Vail
Health's Emergency Department and Eagle County Paramedic Services
approach the recognition and treatment of stroke with the utmost sense
of critical responsiveness," Sherman said. "In fact, (paramedics) will
typically call the (Emergency Department) to alert the team that a
patient is arriving by ambulance with a suspected stroke. The (Emergency
Department) notifies the Stroke Team of an arriving patient with a
'Stroke Alert.' This prompts the team to be prepared to direct all
resources to the arriving patient."
After
arriving at the hospital, the Emergency Department physician will
determine the test needed based on the patient's presenting symptoms and
the timing of when the symptoms first started. Many patients will have a
CT scan immediately after presenting to the Emergency Department at
Vail Health as a diagnostic test to determine what type of stroke the
patient is experiencing. The type of stroke will determine the treatment
and next steps.
Vail Health uses a
tele-stroke-medicine approach for more complicated cases. Through this
technology, the staff at Vail Health is able to consult with physicians
at Swedish Medical Center in Denver, where patients are often
transferred once their condition is stabilized. Depending on the type of
stroke, Vail Health's emergency medicine physicians may also administer
a drug to dissolve any clots and improve blood flow to the part of the
brain being deprived.
Vail Health
adheres to and follows National Stroke Guidelines, which are proven to
improve patient outcomes and care(Not RESULTS?) related to stroke, thus ensuring that
every patient receives the highest level of stroke care(Not RESULTS?) interventions,
Sherman said.
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