In recent years, a statistical analysis of data on stroke occurrence has suggested increased risk of stroke during the holidays.
Stroke generally comes in two major varieties; hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic. Hemorrhagic stroke results from bleeding into the brain from a ruptured blood vessel. Non-hemorrhagic stroke typically results from obstruction of a brain artery by a blood clot.
There are three general categories of prevention as it pertains to stroke; controlling stroke risk factors, recognizing stroke symptoms and rehabilitation after stroke. Each category offers an opportunity to either prevent stroke from occurring or to limit damage or disability resulting from stroke. This article will focus on early recognition of stroke symptoms.
Early recognition of stroke symptoms is essential to enhancing survival and limiting disability from stroke when it occurs. A wealth of medical research supports the role of early intervention to both preserve life and limit neurologic damage after onset of a stroke.
Medical interventions can begin immediately after activation of the emergency medical system. EMS personnel can perform simple assessments en route and communicate with emergency room staff members before arrival of the stroke victim in the ER. This permits rapid testing and medical intervention to curtail the adverse effects of stroke.
In order to fully benefit from this organized system of care, it is essential for a stroke victim (or family) to rapidly identify onset of stroke symptoms and activate the emergency medical system by calling 911. These are the first two steps in the American Heart Association’s so-called “chain of survival,” upon which all other steps depend for success.
Many are familiar already with the 5 “suddens” of stroke, including: sudden weakness, sudden speech difficulty, sudden visual loss, sudden dizziness and sudden, severe headache.
Recently, public-health education about the recognition of stroke warning signs have focused on the acronym, FAST – for face, arm, speech and time.
This has simplified the message for the general public because medical studies show that nearly 90 percent of strokes or transient ischemic attacks begin with sudden onset of facial droop, one-sided arm weakness and speech difficulty. This combination represents a true medical emergency and merits rapid (FAST) activation of the emergency medical system by calling 911.
A simple assessment performed by a lay person can readily identify a stroke. First, ask the potential stroke victim to smile. An uneven smile indicates a facial droop. Next, ask the person to raise both arms. A downward drift in one arm indicates weakness. Lastly, ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. If the speech is slurred, difficult to understand or not repeated properly, a stroke may be occurring. It is important to act fast and call 911.
Evidence shows that stroke patients who are rapidly identified and who undertake stroke treatment within the first hour, the so-called “golden hour” of onset of stroke symptoms, have measurably better outcomes.
It is important for everyone to recognize stroke symptoms and know how to rapidly activate the EMS system to take full advantage of the benefit of medical interventions.
Dr. Matthew A. Clark is a board-certified physician in internal medicine and pediatrics practicing at the Ute Mountain Ute Health Center in Towaoc.
