UH Doctor Talks Stroke Prevention, Importance of Screenings
Someone in the United States suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Someone in the United States suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
They also claim a life once every four minutes.
University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center offered free stroke screenings May 8 to educate and save lives.
“The purpose of stroke awareness is to raise awareness in the public of stroke risk factors, so they can be treated, including high blood pressure and the symptoms of a stroke, so they can be seen in the closest ER as soon as possible, instead of waiting,”
said Dr. Mark Rorick, director of the UH Neurological Institute Primary Stroke Center.
A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when a clot blocks blood supply to the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so it starts to die.
Stroke risk assessment screenings included blood pressure, blood glucose, total cholesterol and body mass index.
Chardon’s Dorothy Stincomb, 82, enjoys taking advantage of UH’s community programs, like these, to keep healthy.
Staying active is important to the busy octogenarian who watched a friend’s health decline following a stroke.
Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability and costs the U.S. an estimated $34 billion each year in healthcare services, medicines to treat a stroke and missed days from work, according to the CDC.
Stincomb focuses on prevention and wears a pacemaker while watching her salt intake.
“A lot is managing risk factors,” Stroke Center Coordinator Bridget Michael said, adding general risk factors include high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity.
Rorick added atrial fibrillation risk without treatment increases the yearly risk of stroke by 12 percent, but with a baby aspirin, the risk is 10 percent per year.
Stincomb smiled as she talked to professionals and near the end of the screening, was pleased with her good report card’s personal risk assessment results.
“Good numbers,” Stincomb said, as she walked over to get her BMI measured.
Some risk factors cannot be controlled.
According to UH’s Neurological Institute, in people under 75, men are more at risk for a stroke and it’s a greater threat in people over the age of 65 as well as in those who have a family history.
Ethnicity is a factor as well, according to the CDC.
Actor Luke Perry and filmmaker John Singleton’s recent deaths at ages 51 and 52 are reminders stokes strike younger adults, too.
“The important risk factors for stroke include heart disease, HTN (hypertension), diabetes mellitus, smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, drug abuse and peripheral vascular disease,” Rorick said.“Stroke risk depends on the risk factors present, so a younger person may have a stroke if they have risk factors, but in general, the older the person, the greater the risk of stroke.”
Rorick said it is important to see a healthcare provider at least every year, to diagnose certain stroke risk factors, especially high blood pressure — if this is treated, it reduces the risk of stroke.
Besides hypertension, other treatable risk factors include diabetes, high cholesterol and carotid artery disease — depending on how severe the blockage is and whether it has already caused a stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack, often called a mini-stroke), Rorick said, adding eating a healthy diet is important.
“There is data that a diet high in fruits and vegetables will reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and a Mediterranean diet is available as well — using olive oil to cook, white meats and fish much less than red meats, and other food materials. They can look up the diet on the Internet,” Rorick said.
This was good news for Stincomb, who enjoys eating a balanced diet.
“I love eating avocados and fish,” Stincomb said.
It is important to remember when someone is having a stroke, seconds matter.
The most effective stroke treatments are only available if the stroke is recognized within the first three hours of the first symptoms.
The following are ways to help recognize stroke symptoms and act “F.A.S.T.”:
- Face (Ask the person to smile. Does one-side of the face droop?)
- Arms (Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?)
- Speech (Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can he/she repeat the sentence correctly?)
- Time (If the person shows any of these symptoms time is important. Call 9-1-1 or get to a hospital fast.
Other visible symptoms include sudden numbness, trouble walking or seeing, severe headaches and confusion.
“My best advice is: Do not take your health for granted, you have to maintain your body by eating a healthy diet and exercising,” Rorick said.
If you think someone is having a stroke, it is something that must be addressed immediately and the best way to get treatment quickly, just as a heart attack, is to
call 911.
