Healthy Living

May is National Stroke Awareness Month. Stroke is the number one neurologic diagnosis requiring hospital admission. Over the course of the past thirty years, medical science has made great strides in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of patients who have suffered a stroke. Recognizing a stroke as soon as it begins is crucial.

There are two types of stroke, hemorrhagic and ischemic. The hemorrhagic type is caused by a blood vessel in the brain that begins to leak. An example is an aneurysm or other malformation that may burst. An ischemic stroke results from a blood vessel that is clogged and deprives an area of the brain of its vital blood supply. Some examples of ischemic stroke include an embolus or abnormal particle which travels to the brain, and a thrombus or clot which can build up in a diseased blood vessel.

There are many similarities between heart attack and stroke. The risk factors, causes and many treatments are the same. Similar to heart attack we have found that early recognition of a “brain attack” is critical to survival. The Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale provides three signs of early stroke:
1. Facial droop. Ask the person to smile. Both sides of the face should move equally.
2. Arm drift. The person closes their eyes and holds both arms straight out for ten seconds. Both arms should move the same or not move at all.
3. Speech difficulties. Ask the person to say, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” The person should use correct words without slurring.
If any one of these signs is abnormal, the probability of stroke is 72%.

All stroke treatment is most effective when intervention is within hours of symptom onset. It is important to initiate a multi-disciplinary approach to stroke with a coordinated effort among emergency services, neurology, nursing and rehabilitation. This approach, along with early recognition, reduces the morbidity associated with stroke.

I urge anyone interested in stroke to visit the website of the National Stroke Association. Please remember that if you believe that you or someone you know is having a stroke, act quickly because brain cells are dying.

To view a video about warning signs of stroke, click here.

Anthony G. Alessi, MD, is a neurologist on the The William W. Backus Hospital Medical Staff in private practice at NeuroDiagnostics, LLC in Norwich. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. E-mail Dr. Alessi and all of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org