In The News
February 9, 2010
Media Contact: Alicia Gonzalez (818) 800-3113
Put Time on Your Side to Reduce Stroke Damage
In the time it takes to read this brief article, a stroke will claim the life of someone in the U.S. Over the course of the year ahead, that sobering statistic will amount to more than 143,500 deaths-more than any other cause besides heart disease and cancer. Still, most strokes are not fatal, and quick action can often make the difference in the outcome.
Every second counts during a stroke. Depending on how fast you identify the symptoms and take steps to get help, you're either one second closer to minimizing the damage or one second closer to further injury-and possibly even death.
"In the vast majority of strokes, a blood clot prevents oxygen from reaching particular areas of the brain," said Antonio Liu, MD, Neurologist and Medical Director of White Memorial Medical Center's Primary Stroke Center in Los Angeles. "When that happens, brain cells begin dying. The sooner we can restore oxygen to the affected area, the less damage normally results. That is why it is so critical to recognize the symptoms of stroke and call 911 immediately."
Know the Symptoms of Stroke
Although most people who suffer a stroke are over age 65, it can happen to anyone of any age, ethnicity and gender. So it is important to be aware of the symptoms of stroke, which include:
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
Sudden confusion, or trouble speaking or understanding.
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination.
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.
Not all of these warning signs occur in every stroke. If you experience any of these symptoms, do not ignore them, even if they go away. Call 911 immediately for assistance.
"Too often, people make two big mistakes when they experience symptoms of stroke," Dr. Liu said. "First, they wait too long to take action. And second, they drive themselves to an ER instead of calling 911. When you call 911, you'll begin receiving care as soon as the paramedics arrive. In addition, they will know the best hospital to take you to for care, which is not necessarily the closest hospital."
White Memorial Medical Center, for instance, is certified as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, which means that the hospital has the facilities, staff and processes in place to provide fast and effective care for stroke patients. A neurologist-a doctor with specialized training in stroke care and other issues related to the brain and nervous system-is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Follow the Fiddler
Country music star Charlie Daniels provides a recent example of how a quick response to the symptoms of stroke can make a big difference. The 73-year-old fiddler and guitarist, best known for his 1979 hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," felt numbness in his left hand and foot, as well as the left side of his mouth, while snowmobiling in Colorado earlier this month.
He sought medical attention without hesitation and was diagnosed with a mild stroke. Physicians at a local hospital were able to treat him with a clot-busting drug and transfer him to a larger hospital for follow-up care.
"This is a good illustration of the fact that, no matter where you are or what you are doing, you should never ignore the signs of a stroke," Dr. Liu said. "A quick response, whether you're on a mountainside, on the freeway, at work or at home, can save your life and help you avoid the most serious side-effects of stroke."
White Memorial Medical Center is a 353-bed, not-for-profit, faith-based, teaching hospital that provides a full range of inpatient, outpatient and emergency services to communities in and near downtown Los Angeles. Services include the Los Angeles Imaging Center, the Advanced Primary Stroke Center, The Heart and Vascular Care Center, the Centers for Orthopedic Care, Cecilia Gonzalez De La Hoya Cancer Center, Oscar De La Hoya Labor and Delivery Center, children's services, emergency services, rehabilitation and behavioral medicine.
