Someone in the United States dies from a stroke an average of every 3 minutes and 11 seconds, according to the American Heart Association. Strokes are responsible for one in every 20 deaths.
May is stroke awareness month. Strokes occur when the blood supply to the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, according to a news release from Piedmont Augusta.
About 80% of strokes are preventable.
“Keeping a check on the risk factors we can control is key,” said Dr. Cargill Alleyne, a neurosurgeon at Piedmont Augusta. “Hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking are four major contributors to stroke risk, but they’re also things we can do something about. Small lifestyle changes, diet, exercise, and knowing your numbers (Blood Pressure, Lipid Panel, A1C) and regular checkups can all have a big impact.”
Additionally, knowing the signs of a stroke and taking immediate action can often lead to better recovery outcomes. In general, rapid recognition and response are key to decreasing the chances of long-term disability. To help identify signs of a stroke, use the acronym B.E.F.A.S.T.:
- Balance – Is there trouble with balance or coordination?
- Eyes – Has the person experienced blurred, double, or loss of vision?
- Face – Look for an uneven smile.
- Arm – Check if one arm or leg is weak or just “doesn’t feel right.”
- Speech – Listen for slurred speech or trouble finding words.
- Time– Call 911 right away if you have any of the above symptoms
Alleyne said every minute matters when it comes to seeking medical care. Two million brains cells die every minute during a stroke, so time is brain tissue.
“Once your symptoms start, the clock starts running. The faster you receive care, the better your chance of recovery. The biggest mistake we see is that people think their symptoms will just go away on their own and in doing that, they end up outside of the treatment window. So, if you have symptoms, don’t hesitate. Call 911 immediately,” Alleyne said.
Piedmont Augusta announced in October that it received certification from DNV as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, reflecting the highest level of competence for treatment of serious stroke events. The DNV Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification is based on standards set forth by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association, and affirms that the medical center addresses the full spectrum of stroke care – diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education – and establishes clear metrics to evaluate outcomes, a separate news release from Piedmont said.
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