By Paul Kaiser, M.D.
Advances in medical care are increasing the odds of survival and recovery from stroke.
However, in the United States someone has a stroke every 40 seconds and someone dies as a result of a stroke every four minutes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Therefore, swift action and medical evaluation are critical. Certain treatments that may reverse strokes can only be performed if the disease is recognized within a certain period of time.
If you suspect a stroke, even if symptoms subside, you should seek emergency medical attention.
From acute care in the Center for Emergency Care through rehabilitation, the Stroke Center at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center addresses the many complex needs of individuals who have had a stroke, with the goal of helping each patient resume life after a stroke as quickly as possible.
Age Doesn’t Matter
Although more common as you grow older, strokes can strike at any age. In fact, nearly 15% of strokes occur in people under the age of 60, according to the American Heart Association.
While some risk factors for stroke can be controlled, others cannot be changed, such as ethnicity (Hispanics and African-Americans tend to experience strokes more frequently than others), age, family history of stroke or having experienced a previous stroke or mini stroke.
Other risk factors include:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Being overweight or obese
- Physical inactivity
Recognize the Signs
Stroke symptoms can be difficult to recognize. However, it is important to know the signs and symptoms, which include:
- Numbness, weakness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
- Severe headache.
One of the most important treatments for stroke is a drug called t-PA, which can prevent lingering disabilities in some patients experiencing stroke. However, t-PA can only be administered within three hours of the onset of symptoms, which is why you need to act fast.
If you experience signs of stroke, call 9-1-1 and seek immediate emergency care.
Recovery After Stroke
Recovery from a stroke takes time. A patient may need to move from the hospital to acute rehabilitation, where they receive intensive physical therapy that typically lasts for several weeks.
Depending on an individual’s needs, therapy may focus on strength and mobility. If the stroke caused physical limitations, daily living tasks such as how to put on a shirt or a pair of shoes, or therapy to help with speech and swallowing may also be included.
Additionally, once a patient returns home from the hospital or acute rehabilitation, outpatient therapy may also be recommended.
While inpatient therapy focuses on getting a patient safely discharged home, outpatient therapy works to help the patient regain as much strength, mobility and balance as possible so they can return to their prior level of function.
Outpatient therapy usually lasts between one and three months and typically begins with an individualized assessment to determine balance, strength, functional mobility, fall risks and a patient’s objectives.
Preventing a Stroke
Eighty percent of strokes are preventable, according to the American Heart Association, which offers the following tips for reducing your risk for a stroke:
- Don’t smoke and avoid second-hand smoke.
- Improve your eating habits. Eat foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, sodium and added sugars.
- Be physically active. Start slowly and build up to at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity, such a brisk walking, per week. You can also do 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity a week, or a combination of the two.
- Take your medicine as directed and control existing medical conditions.
- Get your blood pressure checked regularly and work with your healthcare provider to manage it if it’s high.
- Reach and maintain a healthy weight.
- Decrease your stress level.
- Have regular medical checkups.
Recognized for High Standard of Care
Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center (PMC) has been designated by the state of New Jersey as a Primary Stroke Center with specially trained acute stroke teams and state-of-the-art neuro imaging and neuro services available 24/7 and a designated stroke coordinator to oversee patient education and quality of care.
PMC has also earned two national recognitions in stroke care: advanced certification as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Get With Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.
For more information about the PMC Stroke Center or to find a physician affiliated with Penn Medicine Princeton Health, call 888.742.7496 or visit www.princetonhcs.org.
Paul Kaiser, M.D., is board certified in clinical neurophysiology, neurology and vascular neurology. He is the medical director of Penn Medicine Princeton Health’s Stroke Center.