Know the signs of stroke & what to do

By Kelley King, BSN,

Did you know stroke is considered a brain attack?

Much like a heart attack, every minute counts when symptoms begin. Each minute without blood flow results in the death of two million brain cells.

Do you know the warning signs of stroke? Rapid intervention is crucial in the treatment of stroke. It could save your life and decrease deficits caused by a stroke.

BE FAST is an easy way to remember and identify some of the most common symptoms of a stroke. Recognition of these symptoms may save a life.

B: Balance – Loss of balance or dizziness

E: Eyes – Vision changes

F: Face – Facial drooping or severe headache

A: Arms – Is there weakness or numbness in one or both arms?

S: Speech – Trouble speaking or confusion? Is speech slurred?

T: Time – Time to call 911. Time is brain –meaning time is of the essence when treating a stroke. With each moment a stroke goes untreated, the nervous tissue in the brain is rapidly and irreversibly damaged.

If someone complains of a sudden, severe headache or describes it as “the worst headache of my life,” they should seek medical attention immediately.

Stroke is a sudden brain dysfunction caused by a disturbance in the brain’s blood circulation and is the leading cause of long-term disability. The deficits caused by a stroke depend on the area of the brain affected.

There are two types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic strokes account for more than 80-87% of all strokes and are typically caused by obstruction of cerebral blood vessels. Some of the causes of hemorrhagic strokes include the following: head injuries, cerebral aneurysm, high blood pressure, blood vessel abnormalities, blood or bleeding disorders, drug abuse and brain tumors.

When it comes to stroke, rehabilitation is an important part of the overall recovery strategy. Although individuals may survive the initial stroke, many are left with disabilities that might have been minimized had they received treatment quicker. Approximately 60 percent of stroke victims are left with diminished use of an arm or leg. Some suffer from aphasia, a language disorder that can affect a person’s ability to express and understand written and spoken language.

Learn the warning signs and get help immediately! You may save your own life or the life of someone else.

Here are some of the risk factors you can help control to potentially prevent a stroke:

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol

• Smoking

• Heavy alcohol use

• Overweight or obese

• High blood sugar levels

Freeman Health System is proud to be accredited as a Level II Stroke Center. The Freeman stroke team is highly trained to quickly evaluate, diagnose and treat stroke patients. Freeman works in cooperation with the area’s ambulance services and has met standards to improve outcomes.

To learn more about stroke and stroke education, go to freemanhealth.com/stroke.

About The Author

Kelley King, RN, BSN, is a Freeman accreditation coordinator. She graduated from Pittsburg State University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. A registered nurse for 34 years, she has been with Freeman since 2004. Kelley works closely with Dr. Gulshan Uppal, the Freeman Stroke Medical Director, to oversee and manage the stroke program.