Ashtabula County Medical Center | ACMC Pulse | Summer 2020

STROKE IS ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES of death in America, but many people don’t recognize the symptoms. In fact, some strokes may have such mild symptoms that people ignore them. But once a stroke begins, the clock starts ticking. Lifesaving medication must be given within three hours of the start of a stroke. “A person experiencing a stroke may not even notice anything is wrong. They may describe a headache or weakness in the arm or legs,” said ACMC Neurologist Preetha Muthusamy, MD. “However, even small changes like this can indicate a stroke that requires immediate treatment.” The basic definition of a stroke is lack of oxygen to a small portion of the brain. When a blood vessel to the brain bursts or is blocked by a clot, the blood and oxygen feeding that part of the brain are shut off. Starved for nutrients, the affected brain cells begin dying. Get help fast at ACMC Getting medical treatment immediately is key, especially in the case of a blood clot. Most strokes are due to clots. A medication called a tissue plasminogen activator, or tPa, can destroy the clot and restore blood flow. However, it must be given within three hours of the stroke’s start. That’s why ACMC puts a priority on patients who have stroke symptoms. Because of that dedication, ACMC has been named a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission—the only one in Ashtabula County. When a person first shows signs of a stroke, a protocol dedicated to getting the fastest appropriate treatment is enacted. A team including a neurologist, a pharmacist, a respiratory therapist and a hospitalist work together to determine the best course of action for the patient. To be named a Primary Stroke Center, ACMC’s experts had to show a history of effective, timely care and procedures that can significantly improve the outcomes for stroke patients. ACMC has also earned the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to national guidelines. Signs of a stroke can signal brain damage B—Balance Sudden trouble with balance or coordination. E—Eyes Sudden blurred or double vision or a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes. F—Face drooping One side of the face droops or becomes numb. Ask the person to smile. A—Arm weakness Arm becomes weak or numb. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm sag as if the person is holding something heavy? S—Speech difficulty Difficulty speaking, slurred speech or an inability to speak. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like, “The sky is blue.” T—Time to call 911 If a person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and tell EMS to get your loved one to ACMC’s Primary Stroke Center. IS IT A STROKE? What to watch for Watching a loved one having a stroke can be a very frightening event. The person may complain of a headache or feeling “off.” They may start slurring their speech or moving awkwardly. They may lose control of one side of their body. It can all happen in a matter of seconds. Use the acronym BE FAST to remember the signs of a stroke and what to do. Stroke 12 ACMC Pulse • acmchealth.org