Stroke Education and Treatment
Hoag Stroke Month 2021
Stroke is one of the top five leading causes of death and a leading cause
of disability in the U.S. As we celebrate Stroke Awareness Month, Hoag
reminds the community about the importance of recognizing the first signs
of a stroke and to seek care immediately in the event of a stroke.
This May, join Hoag Stroke Program’s experts for the following activities:
-
Join a health education class to learn about the symptoms and treatment
options of a stroke, the effects of stroke on speech, swallowing and cognition,
how to prevent a stroke, as well as the importance of emergency care.
Register for a class
here.
- Learn how to recognize the first signs of a stroke from Stroke Certified
Registered Nurses, Angela James, RN; Dana Jorgensen, RN; and Patricia
Murphy, RN.
Ranked among the top five percent in the nation for stroke treatment, Hoag
has been certified as a
Comprehensive Stroke Center and Hoag Irvine has been certified a
Primary Stroke Center by DNV GL Healthcare USA, Inc.* Hoag has also been awarded the American
Heart Association/American Stroke Association's
Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award with Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll Elite. This is the ninth year Hoag has received the Gold Plus Quality Achievement
Award and the second year for the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite.
Hoag Hospital provides comprehensive services for the evaluation, prevention,
treatment and ongoing care of stroke patients. When it comes to stroke,
studies have shown a significant improvement in outcomes when best practice
protocols are applied. Surviving a stroke not only means seeking immediate
medical attention at the first sign of symptoms, but also receiving treatment
at a medical center experienced in acute stroke management.
What is Stroke?
To understand a stroke, think of it as a heart attack that happens in the
brain. A stroke (or brain attack) is a potentially fatal condition that
occurs when a blood clot, or ruptured blood vessel, interferes with blood
flow to the brain. When this happens, part of the brain cannot get the
blood and oxygen it needs, so it starts to die.
Every 45 seconds, someone in America has a stroke. It is the fifth leading
cause of death and the leading cause of disability in adults. Depending
on the type, extent and location of the damage – as well as how
quickly emergency care is given – a stroke can result in death or
may permanently impair a person's ability to move, speak, think, remember,
respond normally or live independently.
Warning Signs of Stroke
- Sudden change in vision – blurred or loss of vision
- Sudden confusion or difficulty of speech – slurred or sluggish, loss
of words or difficulty understanding words
- Sudden weakness – loss of strength in face, hand, arm and/or leg
on one side of the body
- Sudden loss of balance or dizziness – difficulty walking or clumsiness
- Sudden change in sensation – heaviness, numbness or unusual sensation
in face, hand, arm and/or leg on one side of the body
- Sudden severe headache, unexplained, often described as the worst headache ever
Even if the symptoms only last a few minutes, it could be a mini-stroke,
which is called a TIA (transient ischemic attack). TIA is also a medical
emergency that requires immediate medical attention. An unrecognized and
untreated TIA may be followed by a major disabling stroke. Therefore,
if any of the above symptoms occur, it is critical to seek immediate emergency
treatment.
Another quick way to identify a stroke is to follow the
BE FAST signs:
BALANCE - Sudden loss of balance or dizziness
EYES - Sudden blurred vision or loss of vision
FACE - Sudden facial droop or uneven smile
ARM - Sudden arm weakness or numbness
SPEECH - Sudden slurred speech; sudden difficulty speaking or understanding​
TIME – Call 911 and get to the hospital immediately
*Hoag Hospital Newport Beach was certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center
by DNV GL Healthcare USA, Inc. in October 2016.