Q&A: Surviving a Stroke
August 12, 2008 – 2:29 pm
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in America and the leading cause of serious long-term disability. Every year, about 700,000 Americans suffer a new or recurrent stroke. “Brain attacks,” as they are called, can be deadly, but by recognizing the symptoms and responding quickly, the impact of strokes can be minimized or even prevented. Dr. David Chiu, medical director of the Methodist Neurological Institute at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, answers a few key questions about stroke.
Q: What is a stroke?
A: A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by either a blood clot (ischemic) or a blood vessel bursting (hemorrhagic). When this occurs, brain cells in the immediate area begin to die because they no longer receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to function.
Q: How do I know if I am having a stroke? What should I do if I have symptoms of a stroke?
A: If you experience any of the following symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately and ask to be taken to a hospital that is a certified primary stroke center. Getting help within three hours of the onset of symptoms is vital in order to prevent permanent damage and further brain cell loss.
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordinationà
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Q: Why should I go to a certified primary stroke center?
A: Primary stroke centers, such as The Methodist Hospital’s, are certified by The Joint Commission and are leaders in all areas of stroke - research, diagnosis, innovative treatment, prevention, rehabilitation and recovery. Patients at these certified stroke centers are more likely to receive tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), the only FDA-approved clot-busting drug to treat acute ischemic stroke, but it must be administered within three hours of the onset of symptoms.
Q: What are the treatments for stroke?
A: Aside from tPA And depending on the severity of the stroke, other treatments include medications to help reduce swelling or prevent additional blood clots in the brain; traditional surgery (craniotomy or carotid endarterectomy); or interventional/endovascular procedures, such as using balloons, stents and coils to treat the affected blood vessels in the brain. At the Methodist NI’s Stroke Center, we oversee more than a dozen clinical trials that focus on potential treatments for acute stroke. These include Viprinex, an investigational drug made from the venom of a Malayan pit viper, and an investigational therapy called Neurothera, a transcranial infrared laser used within the first 24 hours of an ischemic stroke to stimulate neuronal recovery and limit damage. Several of our studies also look at investigational drugs to help prevent secondary stroke.
Q: What can I do to reduce my risk of having a stroke?
A: Making healthy lifestyle changes can go a long way to helping reduce a person’s risk of stroke:
- Maintain good blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Stop smoking
- Reduce stress
- Limit alcohol intake
- Manage weight
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a balanced diet, avoiding foods high in salts and fat
Q: How common is stroke?
A: A stroke occurs every 45 seconds in the United States. More than 70 percent of all strokes occur in people over the age of 65; women account for approximately 60 percent of strokes; and African-Americans are twice as likely to experience a stroke as Caucasian-Americans.
Q: How can I help someone having a stroke?
A: Think F.A.S.T.
Face: Does one side of the face droop? Ask the person to smile.
Arm: Does one arm drift downward? Ask the person to raise both arms.
Speech: Does their speech sound slurred or strange? Ask the person to repeat a simple phase.
Time: If you observe any of these signs, then it’s time to call 9-1-1.
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