Saint Vincent Hospital Provides Stroke Awareness Education

Time is Crucial for Successful Stroke Treatment

WORCESTER, Mass. – Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death with nearly 800,000 Americans suffering from stroke annually. It’s also the leading cause of disability in the U.S.

Time lost is brain lost and it’s why a fast diagnosis and treatment is so important. The Saint Vincent Hospital care team is here to help with stroke prevention tips, symptoms, treatment and procedures.

Strokes happen when blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. In either case, parts of the brain become damaged or die. And, stroke has no age limits, and younger adults are increasingly affected by stroke and its risk factors. Every minute counts when a stroke is suspected.

“We are encouraging the community to know the stroke warning signs, and to seek treatment immediately. For every minute of delay in medical treatment, the brain loses 1.9 million cells. Patients do better with early action to restore blood flow; therefore, it is vital that treatment begins as soon as possible,” says Gary Keilson, MD, Chief of Neurology at Saint Vincent Hospital. “Always call 9-1-1 immediately to seek treatment when you are worried. Avoiding or delaying care reduces chances of survival. We want people to realize how critical time is for surviving a stroke and reducing the effects.”

While hospitals have saved many lives due to their talented emergency and neurology teams and access to some of the most advanced diagnostic and interventional technology available, one of the most important factors in positive stroke outcomes is recognizing stroke warning signs and getting treatment as quickly as possible once a stroke is identified. According to Dr. Keilson, medication can be administered to an acute stroke patient but needs to be given within a short period after onset of a stroke. A procedure to remove the clot causing the stroke can also be performed, but again, it needs to be completed within a short period. When it comes to successful stroke treatment, time is crucial.

Symptoms of Stroke

The F.A.S.T. acronym has been updated to include additional symptoms involving balance and vision. The new lifesaving acronym is B.E. F.A.S.T. Saint Vincent Hospital encourages our community to understand how to recognize a stroke B.E. F.A.S.T. and dial 9-1-1.

The B.E. F.A.S.T. test helps recognize warning signs, which may save a life from stroke.

• Balance – Is there a sudden loss of balance?
• Eyes – Is there a loss of vision in one or both eyes?
• Facial Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Can the person smile? Is it uneven?
• Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Can the person raise both arms without one drifting down?
• Speech – Is speech slurred? Ask them to repeat a simple sentence like, “The sky is blue.”
• Time to call 911. Check the time to identify when the first symptoms appeared.

Stroke Prevention: What You Can Do

According to the American Stroke Association, 80% of strokes are preventable. Here are some tips to  help prevent stroke:

• Work with your health care team to control health conditions that raise risk for stroke.
• Make healthy lifestyle changes by eating healthier.
• Maintain a healthy weight through regular physical activity.
• Don’t smoke. Quitting will lower stroke risk.
• Limit alcohol. Drinking too much can raise blood pressure.

If you think you may be experiencing a stroke, call 911 immediately.

The American Stroke Association offers a free Stroke Awareness Resource Library. Learn more here.

Take a stroke quiz here. For stroke treatment and more information about Saint Vincent Hospital Stroke Center, visit our website here.