David Bush, M.D

Every 45 seconds someone in the US has a stroke. Someone dies from a stroke every 3.3 minutes.

A stroke, a form of cardiovascular disease, occurs when a blood vessel delivering oxygen and nutrients to the brain bursts or is stopped by a blood clot or some other particle. This is known as a “rupture” or “blockage,” which hampers the brain from getting the blood flow it needs.

Without oxygen, nerve cells in the affected area of the brain cannot function and die within minutes. When nerve cells cannot function, the body part they control cannot function either. This often results in devastating effects for stroke victims because the damage their brain suffers often is permanent.

David Bush, M.D., said that strokes affect different people in different ways. “Brain injury from a stroke can affect the senses, motor activity, speech and the ability to understand speech,” Bush said. “It also can affect behavioral and thought patterns, memory and emotions. Paralysis or weakness on one side of the body is common.”

Strokes often cause people to lose mobility and the feeling in one arm or leg, or cause dimness of sight on one side. “As well as sight, a stroke also can affect one’s touch, movement and thinking, so a person’s perception of everyday objects may be changed,” Bush explained. “When a person’s sight is affected, for example, objects may appear closer or farther away than they really are. This often results in stroke survivors having spills at the table or collisions when they walk.”

 
Early recognition of stroke symptoms plays a vital role in reducing the effect a stroke has on an individual. Stroke symptoms include: 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 coordination; and/or sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

If you notice one or more of these signs, do not wait. Strokes are a medical emergency and require immediate medical attention! “Not all warning signs occur in every stroke case,” Bush said. “People should not ignore the stroke signs, even if they diminish. Check the time that the first warning signs or symptoms begin. If one or more symptom lasts more than a few minutes, don’t delay. Immediately call 911.”

One of the leading risk factors for stroke is high blood pressure. High blood pressure has no specific symptoms or early warning signs. It is important to have blood pressure checked regularly. Smoking is a major, preventable risk factor. Diabetes is another risk factor as it affects the arteries in the brain.

The healthcare professionals at OLBH are experts in the care of stroke. From diagnostic tools to discover clots or arterial narrowing, to treatment, the emergency and cardiovascular team at OLBH is prepared to administer the best treatment options available.

For more information on OLBH’s cardiovascular services, contact the CareLine at 606-833-CARE (2273).