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When A Stroke Occurs Saint Barnabas Medical Center Stresses that Every Minute Matters Livingston, N.J .— More than750,000 people in the United States suffer a stroke each year making it the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability. Yet few people know the medical facts about a stroke until it affects them directly. “A stroke is the disruption of blood flow to an area of the brain,” says Anna Khanna, M.D., Medical Director of The Stroke Center at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. “As a result, nerve cells in the affected area of the brain die. When these nerve cells die, the part of the body they control cannot function, resulting in loss of speech, motor function or other signs of stroke. The devastating effects of a severe stroke are often permanent because dead brain cells are not replaced.” Stroke symptoms may often be minimized and possibly reversed if treatment is delivered early. Because studies have shown that clot-busting drugs delivered within the first three hours may be effective in limiting the debilitating effects of stroke, patients must recognize the warning signs and call 911 immediately. According to the National Stroke Association, common signs of stroke include sudden:
According to Dr. Khanna, the good news is that you can help in reducing your risk of stroke. While you can’t control risk factors such as age, gender, race, and family history, you can lessen your risk by controlling your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, tobacco and alcohol use. Dr. Khanna suggests that those with concern about their risk of stroke should discuss their personal risk factors with their health care provider. It is important to note that sometimes people will experience stroke symptoms that disappear within a few minutes. These “mini-strokes,” really called transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), are a risk factor for stroke and shouldn't be ignored. Doctors can perform tests to determine the cause of TIAs and treat the problem through surgery or medication, if possible. “Research shows that about one-third of people who have a TIA will eventually have a stroke, one-third will continue to experience occasional TIAs, and the final third won't have further symptoms.” says Dr. Khanna. The Stroke Center at Saint Barnabas has a specialized acute stroke team available around the clock comprised of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals that specializes in the rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients. Team members include attending neurologists, attending physiatrist (a physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation), advanced practice nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists. For more information or to reach The Stroke Center at Saint Barnabas, please call (973) 322-9742 or visit www.saintbarnabas.com. If you think you or a person with you is having a stroke DON’T WAIT, call 911. MARCH 15, 2007 CONTACT: PUBLIC RELATIONS (973) 322-9901
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