CTMC Hill Country Health - Spring 2013 - (Page 3)

Stroke Signals I 1 If you were having a stroke, would you even know it? t’s easy to tell when you have a cold or a sprained ankle. But stroke symptoms aren’t always as clear. Take this quiz to find out how much you know about stroke signals—and learn how to save a life. DiD you Know? CTMC has a Stroke Center that has been in operation since summer 2012. If you or a loved one are experiencing stroke symptoms, don’t wait; call 911 or head immediately to the CTMC Emergency Room for important, life-and-brainsaving intervention. Visit ctmc.org to learn more. A stroke, also called a “brain attack,” happens when a blood clot forms in an artery or blood vessel carrying blood to the brain. In the case of an ischemic stroke, the most common kind of stroke, a powerful drug injected into the patient can dissolve the clot, often saving the person’s life, says Jim Baranski, CEO of the National Stroke Association. How quickly must the drug be administered from when symptoms first appear? a. Within three hours b. Within eight hours c. Within 24 hours d. Within two days You can remember how to spot a stroke with the acronym FAST, which also denotes the speed with which you should get to a hospital once symptoms begin. FAST stands for: a. Face, arms, speed, touch b. Fast, action, symptoms, talk c. Feet, arms, stomach, toes d. Face, arms, speech, time 2 3 True or false? Stroke signals often appear over several hours, even days. Who Is Most at Risk? “Anybody can have a stroke—in utero, teenagers, up to seniors,” says Jim Baranski, CEO of the National Stroke Association. “And African-Americans are twice as likely to have a stroke. We don’t exactly know why, either.” Lower your risk by: D Keeping your blood pressure in check. High blood pressure tends to be the most prominent risk factor. D Exercising. D Eating a diet high in fiber and fresh fruits and vegetables. D Avoiding excessive alcohol and smoking. Answers: 1. A. The drug must be administered within three hours to have the best chance of dissolving the clot. That’s why getting help as soon as symptoms first appear is critical. 2. D. FAST stands for face, arms, speech and time. To help spot symptoms of a stroke, look at the person’s face. Is one side drooping? Ask the person to hold his arms level in front of him and watch to see if one arm drops below the other. Ask the person to say a simple sentence—does it sound garbled and confused? If you notice any of these symptoms, then it’s time to call 911. 3. False. “The key thing here is all these signs and symptoms happen suddenly,” Baranski says. Another less-common sign of a stroke can be a headache. But unlike a migraine, it won’t gradually appear. “It’ll feel like someone just jabbed you in your head,” he says, and it can be accompanied by out-of-the-blue nausea and dizziness. 1 View an original Web series about lowering your stroke risk and living healthfully at powertoendstroke.org 3 http://www.ctmc.org http://www.powertoendstroke.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CTMC Hill Country Health - Spring 2013

CTMC Hill Country Health - Spring 2013
Wimberley Medical Plaza Set for Summer Opening
Stroke Signals
Here's to Your health!

CTMC Hill Country Health - Spring 2013