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Learn
to Recognize Stroke Symptoms and
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
A stroke, often referred to as a “brain attack,” is a
form of cardiovascular disease. In a matter of minutes, a brain attack
can transform an active, fully engaged adult into a patient who may
no longer have full control of movement, speech, or bodily functions.
“Strokes
occur when a blood vessel delivering oxygen and nutrients to the brain
bursts or is stopped by a blood clot,” James Powell, M.D., OLBH
neurosurgeon, said. “This hampers the brain from getting the
blood flow it needs. Without oxygen, nerve cells in the affected area
of the brain cannot function and die, literally within minutes. When
this happens, the body part those nerve cells controlled cannot function
either. This damage can have devastating effects for stroke victims
because the damage to their brain may be permanent.”
Know the Warning Signs
By knowing the warning signs and risk factors for stroke, you can
help yourself or a loved one reduce the risk of having a stroke and
suffering severe disability or death. Today there are treatments that
can reduce the risk of damage from the most common type of stroke,
but only if you get help quickly - within three (3) hours of your
first symptoms.
Call 9-1-1 immediately if you experience these warning signs:
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Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding
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Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially
on one side of the body
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Sudden
trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
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Sudden
trouble seeing in one or both eyes
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Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Risk Determined in OLBH Vascular Center
The OLBH Vascular Center can help your physician determine your risk
for a stroke. By using the center’s advanced imaging equipment,
doctors can perform an exam allowing them to see the vessels that
supply blood to the brain.
“The exam is called an angiogram and can help determine more
exact information after an abnormality has been indicated from other
tests,” Dr. Powell said. “It also can to be used to confirm
bulging of the artery wall - an aneurysm. Additionally, angiography
can reveal valuable information as to whether atherosclerosis is present
in the arteries, a condition that can sometimes be corrected without
major surgery.”
Reducing Your Chance of Stroke
Proper attention to controllable risk factors can reduce your chance
of stroke. Risk factors that lead to stroke include high blood pressure,
heart disease, smoking, excess weight, and diabetes. The chance of
having a stroke also increases with age and males have a slightly
higher stroke risk than females.
For more information on recognizing the symptoms of a stroke, or about
the OLBH Vascular Center, please call
the OLBH CareLine at (606) 833-CARE (2273).
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