Be FAST and stay alert for strokes

Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Stroke Association (ASA). Would you know how to recognize a stroke if you saw someone having one? This American Stroke Month, learn — or get a refresher on — the signs of stroke.  

TidalHealth Peninsula Regional, TidalHealth Nanticoke and Atlantic General Hospital are all primary stroke centers, which means they meet specific guidelines relating to caring for stroke patients and offering community education relating to this topic.  

‘Time is brain’ 

Dr. Sophia Shakur, a neurosurgeon with TidalHealth Neurosurgery who treats stroke patients, said it’s important for people having a stroke to get treatment right away.  

“Time is brain,” she said.  

About 87 percent of strokes are ischemic strokes, according to the ASA. With this type of stroke, a blood vessel in the brain gets blocked, reducing blood supply and oxygen, Dr. Shakur said. 

If someone has an ischemic stroke and gets to the hospital quickly, the patient can receive a “clot-busting” medication. But because of risks if it’s given too late, it can only be given up to four-and-a-half hours after the stroke began, Dr. Shakur said.  

Another option is a minimally invasive, or neuroendovascular, surgery, in which the blockage can be removed, Dr. Shakur said. This treatment can only be offered if the stroke started in the past 24 hours, and depending on what the imaging shows, it sometimes can’t be done even within that time frame, she said. If it can be offered, it often has positive results.  

Imaging can determine what type of stroke a patient is having, though a patient having a hemorrhagic stroke is likely to have a bad headache, while one with an ischemic stroke wouldn’t, Dr. Shakur said. Hemorrhagic strokes happen when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures.  

Recognize the signs 

Dr. Chris Snyder, a hospitalist and TidalHealth’s chief quality officer, underscored the importance of time when it comes to treating strokes.  

TidalHealth sees patients with strokes regularly, and strokes are also a regular occurrence across the United States. Someone has a stroke every 40 seconds, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Death is a major concern, and others can be left with lasting disabilities. 

It’s important for people to recognize the signs of stroke because it isn’t always obvious to the person suffering the symptoms, Dr. Snyder said. Children are often the ones who notice something is wrong, he said.  

“You seldom recognize it yourself,” Dr. Snyder said.  

In the case of stroke symptoms, it’s important to call 911 rather than a primary care provider or drive yourself to the emergency room, according to the Stroke Smart materials on the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) website. Every minute matters. 

Risk factors 

The ASA says the majority of strokes could be prevented.  

Before a stroke occurs, she said patients should see their primary care provider regularly, and, depending on the condition, their cardiologist. These providers can prescribe medicines that help prevent major strokes.  

TidalHealth has a stroke coordinator, Lauren Hitchens, MSN, RN, who works to engage and educate the community with a goal of promoting stroke prevention and recovery. Stroke walks have recently been held as part of this initiative.  

The Strike Out Stroke baseball game is coming up at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury on Saturday, May 31. The Delmarva Shorebirds will play the Hickory Crawdads starting at 7:05 pm, and there will be fireworks afterward.  

Wicomico County was also recognized as a Stroke Smart County this week by the Wicomico County Council.