Time is Brain with a Stroke

During an acute severe brain stroke about two million brain cells die every minute, so the sooner one is treated in an emergency medical center, the less brain damage will occur and the greater will be the chance for survival. For this reason doctors refer to the phrase “time is brain.” The sooner one calls 911, the sooner brain cells will stop dying, there may be less disability and the stroke victim’s life may be saved.

Two Types of Strokes

Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS)

An acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is the most common kind of stroke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 87% of strokes are an acute ischemic stroke. An ischemic stroke occurs when the flow of blood that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is shut off because a blood clot becomes stuck in a blood vessel. The longer the blood flow is shut off the greater will be the amount of brain damage. Time is brain!

Hemorrhagic Stroke

A hemorrhagic strokes happens when a blood vessel or aneurism in the brain ruptures causing sudden bleeding inside the brain.

Stent Retrieval Thrombectomy Removes Blood Clot in an Ischemic Stroke

An amazing stent retrieval thrombectomy to remove a blood clot is now the preferred treatment for an acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This allows the doctor to retrieve the clot and remove it from the brain, which allows the blood supply to immediately flow back into the brain. This lessens the amount of brain damage, allows for faster healing and can help to prolong life.

Stent Retrieval Thrombectomy Procedure

The doctor in the hospital inserts a catheter into the femoral artery in the groin and pushes the catheter through the artery up to the brain where the clot is lodged. A stent retriever is navigated inside the catheter and is carried up to the clot. With the help of imaging the clot is retrieved and immediately allows blood flow back into the brain.

It is important to note that this stent retrieval procedure is only effective when carried out within the first six hours after someone has had a stroke. Time is brain!

Waste no Time in Calling 911 if you see someone with these Symptoms:

• Sudden NUMBNESS or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body, droopy face
• Sudden CONFUSION, trouble speaking or understanding speech, slurred speech
• Sudden TROUBLE SEEING in one or both eyes, dilated pupil
• Sudden TROUBLE WALKING, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden SEVERE HEADACHE with no known cause

Preventing Strokes

Take any medications your doctor prescribes, especially if you already had a stroke.

Lifestyle changes can help to prevent strokes such as:

• Maintain normal blood pressure. High blood pressure is the greatest risk for having a stroke.
• Quit smoking
• Cut down or quit drinking alcoholic drinks
• Manage diabetes
• Lose weight if you are overweight or obese
• Eat healthy foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, more fish and less red meat and use extra virgin olive oil as your main oil in your diet.

Strokes in the United States

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• About 140,000 Americans die every year from a stroke (1 out of every 20 deaths).
• Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death in the United States.
• More than 795,000 Americans have a stroke every year and about 610,000 of these are a first or new stroke.
• About 185,000 strokes are to people who had a previous stroke.
• Most strokes occur to seniors over age 65, but a stroke can strike at any age.
• Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability and reduces mobility in more than half of stroke survivors over the age of 65.
• African Americans have the highest risk for a first stroke and have the highest death rates from strokes.
• Stroke costs the United States an estimated $34 billion each year for the cost of health care services, medicines to treat stroke and missed days of work.

Stroke Rehabilitation

Participation in stroke rehabilitation, can take place in various settings. Stroke Rehabilitation usually begins in the hospital and has been shown to reduce getting another stroke and also improves function and quality of life.

Post Stroke Skilled Nursing Care

If you or your loved one are in need of long-term skilled nursing care after a stroke, check out the Park Crescent Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in East Orange, New Jersey. Park Crescent offers warm and skilled post-stroke nursing care.

Conclusion

Time is brain! Waste no time in calling 911 if you think someone may be having a stroke.