HEALTHY HEART NEWS Volume 21 | MAY 2021
Beverly Keefer, Director of Cardiovascular Services /Anthony Patrello, Medical Director of MSLC Cardiovascular Institute
Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall’s Cardiovascular Institute is committed to you and our community. We pride ourselves on being an engaged partner with the many constituencies that we serve. As part of our commitment to meeting your heart health needs, we have developed this quarterly newsletter filled with information that can improve the quality of, and in some cases, help save your life. If there are topics that you would like to see covered in future editions, please e-mail Beverly Keefer, Director of Cardiovascular Services, Cardiac Cath and Interventional Radiology at bkeefer@montefioreslc.org.
MAY IS STROKE AWARENESS MONTH Stroke awareness is one of the biggest issues today. Too few people realize how serious of a problem stroke is until it happens to them, someone in their family, or to a loved one. National Stroke awareness month is observed in the United States annually during the month of May. Stroke awareness month was created to promote public awareness and reduce the incidence of stroke. As the pandemic continues, we are finding that coronavirus is not just a respiratory illness, but a vascular disease that can affect many organ systems. Knowing the signs and symptoms of what to do is extremely important especially as many studies reveal that COVID patients have an increased risk of stroke. When it comes to stroke, every minute counts. Acting Fast can help stroke patients get the treatment they need to survive and reduce damage to the brain. Better stroke outcomes begin with faster stroke recognition. In a national survey, one-third of respondents were not aware of stroke symptoms and would not know to call 911 in the event of a stroke. That means 1 in 3 stroke patients do not call for immediate help. Educating yourself about stroke can give you the power to react quickly. Not reacting to the signs and symptoms of stroke can result in long term disabilities or even death. The onset of stroke symptoms may be sudden, with no warning. As soon as something seems off with a loved one you should take immediate action and CALL 911. Quickly identifying sudden symptoms of stroke and calling 911 can make a big difference. Stroke treatment can begin the moment emergency medical services (EMS) arrives to take the patient to the hospital. Strokes can happen to anyone at any time. There are several risk factors for stroke — some you can manage and some that are out of your control. Risk factors that cannot be changed: o Age: Stroke can occur at any age; 1 out of 5 people who have a stroke are under 55 and your chance of stroke increases as you get older o Race: African Americans, Hispanics, and Asian/Pacific Islanders have a higher risk of stroke than people of other races o Gender: More women have stroke than men and more women die from stroke than from breast cancer every year o Family history: You are at greater risk if a family member has had a stroke
Manageable risk factors include: o High blood pressure o Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) o High cholesterol o Smoking o Diabetes o Poor circulation o Lack of physical activity o Obesity What is a Stroke? Stroke is a brain attack. It occurs when blood vessels in the brain, called arteries, are blocked or burst. Obstruction or damage to the arteries in the brain may prevent it from getting the necessary blood supply. This can cause brain cells to die, which can cause permanent damage. Depending on which part of the brain is damaged, an individual’s ability to speak, see, and move may become impaired. That is why it is important to act as soon as possible and the moment that a stroke is suspected. Ischemic stroke – occurs when blood flow through an artery is blocked, which accounts for 87% of all strokes and can be treated. Treatment for this type of stroke can be given if the patient arrives to the hospital within 4.5 hours of symptom onset. Hemorrhagic stroke – occurs when an artery is ruptured, causing swelling, pressure, and damage to the brain. This type of stroke may require surgical treatment. You can play a pivotal role in stroke recovery just by calling 911. Both stroke survival and recovery are possible with the right care at the right time. Educating yourself about stroke gives you the power to react quickly. The consequences of stroke can be long-term disability and even death. Knowing the signs of a stroke can make a difference! BE FAST is the acronym that helps with remembering the symptoms. B – balance Loss E – eyes – vision changes F – facial drooping A – arm weakness S – speech difficulties T – time to call 911 Now that you KNOW THE SYMPTOMS, tell your loved ones and SPREAD THE WORD. If you suspect that a loved one may be having a stroke that is the time to react! Remember that calling 911 is the RIGHT thing to do. Urgency is key - hestitation and fear costs time. Signs and symptoms can be subtle and easily missed. Quick actions in recognition can have a lasting impact.
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montefiore st. luke’s cornwall Cardiovascular Institute | (845) 561-4400 | www.montefioreslc.org