Stroke: What do you need to know?

May is National Stroke Month. Augusta Health, certified as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission since 2009, has a team of professionals focused on providing the highest quality stroke care available. Joel Black, PT, MPT, Clinician III Senior Therapist, and Sydney Gorby, BSN, RN of Augusta Health’s Stroke Team provide advice and information on stroke.

What is a stroke? A stroke occurs when blood vessels in the brain become blocked or rupture, causing part of the brain to no longer receive oxygen. In the United States, stroke is the 3rd cause of death and the leading cause of long term disabilities.

Last year Augusta Health provided stroke treatment for over 350 individuals. Augusta Health, having advanced certification as a Primary Stroke Center, provides up-to-date stroke treatment. An interdisciplinary team of health care professionals provides comprehensive stroke care and services, both during and after stroke.

All stroke care, though, should begin with seeking immediate medical attention. If you think you may be having a stroke, call 911 and have EMS initiate care and transport to the emergency room. They can begin to coordinate your care in the ambulance before you even arrive at the Emergency Room.

Ms. Betty Coursey, who recently suffered a stroke, shares her story: I was at home watching TV when all of a sudden my arm started acting crazy. My son said, “I think you are having a stroke.” I knew to call 911 rather than go to the emergency room by myself. When I got to the Augusta Health Emergency Department they took me right back. Dr. Wenger, the neurologist, was wonderful. He told me about a medication that would reverse the stroke and about the risks of the medication. I thought about the effects that the stroke would have on my life and I decided to take the medication. It wasn’t painful and I never suffered. The symptoms went away immediately after getting the medication. The next morning I felt as good as new.

Fortunately, there are treatment options with stroke. “Time is a key factor in treatment choices for stroke,” states Dr. Robert McMahon, Neurologist and Medical Director of the Stroke Team at Augusta Health. The medication Ms. Coursey received was tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) which is most effective if given within 90 minutes of first stroke symptoms. tPA, along with other stroke treatment options, is maximized when the patient seeks immediate medical attention.

One way to increase good outcomes after a stroke is to learn to recognize stroke symptoms. Using the Give Me FiveÔ checklist can help you recognize a stroke. Even if you only have one symptom, call 911 immediately.

Give Me FiveÔ

WALK – Is their balance off?

TALK – Is their speech slurred?

REACH – Is one side weak or numb?

SEE – Is their vision all or partly lost?

FEEL – Is their headache severe?

Ms. Coursey agrees with the Give Me Five advice and add, “Go to the ER whether you think it is a stroke or not. Call 911. I am glad I made that decision.”

To reduce your risk of stroke, Dr. McMahon says, “Controlling your risk factors is the key. This can be done with diet and exercise, but often also needs some assistance from medication.”

If you have questions about stroke, please talk with your personal physician or contact the Augusta Health Stroke Team at 540.932.5741 or .