When seconds count

>team goes to work. Comprised of specialists from
What is a stroke? Who is most susceptible? Whata wide rage of disciplines, they unite their talents
are the symptoms? In this brief overview,and expertise to diagnose the injury and
you’ll learn about strokes, some treatmentdetermine the best treatment plan for each
options and the importance of variouspatient. Lab tests and state-of-the-art imaging
rehabilitation plans that can improve the chancestechnology—like CT scanners—can help pinpoint
of recovery. On average, a stroke takes the lifethe location, type, nature and extent of brain
of a loved one every three minutes, with seniorsdamage.
most vulnerable. The average age for a stroke is“Clot-busting” drugs and minimally invasive
about 72 and many things that cause a stroketechniques
come with aging, such as hypertension or yearsBased on their diagnosis, medical specialists may
of diabetes or smoking. Stroke is the third leadingrecommend neurointerventional treatments.
cause of death in the United States and the mostThese minimally invasive techniques use
common cause of adult disability. What manymicrocatheters to deliver clot-dissolving drugs,
people don’t realize is that a stroke is aperform clot removal and administer other
medical emergency and must be treated with thetreatment to the tiny damaged vessels of the
same urgency as a heart attack. High-riskbrain. A variety of other drugs are also being
individuals—seniors, obese, hypertensive, orinvestigated for their potential to reverse damage
previous stroke victims—should be acutelyto brain tissue caused by stroke, thus giving
aware of the warning signs: sudden numbness,stroke victims greater chances for a faster and
confusion, vision problems, dizziness and severemore complete recovery. The new techniques
headache.allow patients to leave the hospital sooner,
A brain starving for oxygenrecover faster and have a better chance of
Brain cells are extremely sensitive to oxygensurvival.
deprivation. During a stroke, brain tissue is literallyRehabilitation is critical to recovery
starving for oxygen, so every minute counts.After treatment, an acute rehabilitation unit may
Stroke response teams must act swiftly tostart a stroke patient on a managed plan of
stabilize blood pressure and heart rate, as well asrehabilitation. Prompt rehabilitation is critical
attend to any breathing or other complications.because patients with the highest risk for stroke
Although there are ways to prevent stroke,are those who have already suffered one. Early
there is no known treatment for stroke once itrehabilitation also improves the chances of
has caused permanent brain injury. All the morerecovery. Stroke rehab options may include home
reason for swift action at the earliest onset oftherapy, adult day services, home outpatient
symptoms.therapy, and long-term care and therapy at a
Lab tests and CT scans guide treatment optionsskilled nursing facility.
Once a patient is stabilized, a stroke recovery