At Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital, we are SERIOUS about Stroke.
In the time that it takes you to read this article, 3 people in America will have suffered from a stroke. In fact, every year an estimated 700,000 Americans suffer stroke or recurrent stroke making it a leading cause of adult disability and the third leading cause of death in the United States.
Recognized for Treatment of Stroke
According to the Tenth Annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America Study, Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital was recognized for quality treatment of stroke. The study, the largest of its kind, analyzed patient outcomes at virtually all of the nation's 5,000 hospitals over the years 2004, 2005 and 2006.
HealthGrades ranked Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital with a Five-Star ranking for treatment of stroke three years in a row.
What is a Stroke?
Stroke Warning Signs
Risk Factors
Stroke Support Group
What is a Stroke?
Stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease. It affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it starts to die.
Clots that block an artery cause ischemic (is-KEM-ik) strokes. This is the most common type of stroke, accounting for over 80 percent of all strokes.
Ruptured blood vessels cause hemorrhagic (hem-o-RAJ-ik) or bleeding strokes.
When part of the brain dies from lack of blood flow, the part of the body it controls is affected. Strokes can cause paralysis, affect language and vision, and cause other problems. Treatments are available to minimize the potentially devastating effects of stroke, but to receive them, one must recognize the warning signs and act quickly!
Stroke Warning Signs
There are warning signs that may serve as clues your body sends that your brain is not receiving enough oxygen. If you observe one or more of these signs of a stroke or "brain attack," don't wait, call a doctor or 911 right away. These warning signs include:
- Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body.
- Sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye.
- Sudden difficulty speaking or trouble understanding speech.
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
- Unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness or sudden falls, especially with any of the other signs.
Other danger signs that may occur include double vision, drowsiness and nausea or vomiting. Sometimes the warning signs may last only a few moments and then disappear. These brief episodes, known as transient ischemic attacks, or TIAs, are sometimes called "mini-strokes." Since these episodes tend to be brief, many people ignore them. However, TIAs may help identify an underlying serious condition that isn't going to go away without medical help.
Risk Factors
Males and females of all ages and races suffer from strokes. Regardless of age or race, there are risk factors that you should know about. Keep in mind, though, that having a risk factor doesn't mean you'll have a stroke. On the other hand, if you are missing a risk factor does not mean you'll avoid a stroke.
Treatable risk factors for a stroke include:
- High blood pressure
- Cigarette smoking
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
A better understanding of the causes of stroke has helped Americans make lifestyle changes that have helped to reduce the stroke death rate. Stroke may be preventable and treatable.
Stroke Support Group
Have you or a loved one suffered from a stroke? The Stroke Support Group at Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital helps provide stroke survivors, their family members and caregivers with emotional support and education. Click here to learn more about the support group.
For more information on Stroke, visit http://www.strokeassociation.org/
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