Hospital exec shares the facts about STROKES

As program manager for all three Sunrise Health hospitals joint-commissioned and certified for stroke care in Nevada (Sunrise, Mountain View and Southern Hills), Amelia Hoban believes that there are several important things to know about strokes. Among the facts she shared with Black Image: 

• A stroke is an interruption in the blood supply to an artery in the brain.

• Strokes are comparable to heart attacks, in that they are sudden experiences that can occur without warning.

 • About 800,000 Americans suffer from strokes each year. African-Americans are about 1 1/2 times more likely to suffer from strokes than whites. Still, strokes do not discriminate by race, gender or age.

 • There are many theories on why African-Americans are more likely to have strokes — and some of the most widely accepted include risk factors such as higher cholesterol and hypertension.

 • There is strong evidence of a link between diet and strokes. Diet can be manage to lower risk factors such as  high blood pressure and cholesterol. 

• For identifying the signs of a stroke, use the acronym FAST. 

F = Facial droop

A = Arm drift, where you can’t lift one of your arms and it drifts downward.

S = Slurred speech.

T = Time. Be aware that a stroke is a medical emergency. You must act fast.

 • African-American men are 60 percent more likely to die of a stroke then their white counterparts. 

• When females suffer from strokes, they are normally more severe. 

• Strokes can be prevented by taking the appropriate medications to control high blood pressure and cholesterol.

 • Americans who have strokes cost the government $65 billion in health care costs.

 • You can be seen at any Sunrise Hospital stroke center, even if you don’t have insurance. No one is turned away in the midst of a medical emergency.

 • The rehabilitation process following a stroke goes according to individual needs, and normally consists of physical therapy, speech therapy and/or occupational therapy.

 • There are three types of strokes: ischemic, which is a clotting stroke; hemorrhagic, which is a bleeding stroke; and a mini-stroke, which resolves itself without treatment. However, it is a wake-up call that something needs to be done with your health — 20 percent of those who have mini-strokes go on to suffer a more severe stroke within 90 days.

 • If you have a stroke, don’t try to drive yourself or have a family member take you to the hospital. Call 911 — they will get you to a certified stroke center faster. 

• Once in the ambulance, tell emergency workers that you wish to be taken to a certified stroke center.

 • Once you arrive at a certified stroke center, this is what happens: You will be immediately escorted to a bed and see a doctor within 10 minutes of your arrival; have your blood drawn; and undergo a CAT scan. One thing that sets Sunrise apart from other hospitals is that you will be seen by a board-certified

neurologist within 25 minutes of your arrival.