Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States experiences a stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Strokes remain a leading cause of disability and are the fifth leading cause of death in the country, with approximately 795,000 cases each year.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is disrupted. The brain requires a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients, and even brief interruptions can lead to serious problems.
“We’ve come a long way in stroke care. They are not as deadly as they used to be,” said Dr. Hannah Harrison, neurologist at St. Joseph’s/Candler. “However, they are still a top cause of disability and many can be prevented.”
There are two main types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes happen when blood flow is blocked by a clot, resulting in brain tissue damage; these are most common. Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into brain tissue; while less frequent, they tend to be more deadly.
Another condition is transient ischemic attack (TIA), often called a “mini-stroke.” TIAs involve temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain with symptoms that resolve within minutes or hours. Dr. Harrison emphasized that TIAs should not be ignored: “Statistics show more than 25 percent of people diagnosed with having a TIA experience another TIA or stroke within the next month.” She strongly recommends immediate hospital evaluation for suspected TIAs.
Stroke symptoms vary depending on individual factors and where in the brain injury occurs. The B.E.F.A.S.T acronym helps identify warning signs:
– Balance: sudden loss of coordination
– Eyes: sudden vision changes
– Face: facial drooping
– Arms: weakness or numbness
– Speech: slurred or garbled speech or inability to speak
– Time: call 9-1-1 immediately
“Time is brain,” Dr. Harrison said. “Nearly two million neurons die per minute so you should get to the hospital as soon as you notice symptoms come on.”
St. Joseph’s/Candler has received recognition at both state and national levels for its commitment to stroke care excellence and patient outcomes. The health system includes facilities such as St. Joseph’s Hospital and Candler Hospital (official website). It provides services across more than 30 counties in southeast Georgia and South Carolina Lowcountry (official website).
The hospital’s approach involves outreach programs addressing local community needs (official website) and focuses on compassionate healthcare guided by faith (official website). Specialized services include cancer care, heart health, women’s services, neurosciences, and advanced surgical options (official website). St. Joseph’s/Candler has also achieved Magnet status for nursing excellence (official website).
A dedicated stroke team operates around-the-clock at St. Joseph’s/Candler, consisting of emergency physicians, neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, neurohospitalists, nurses, therapists, and paramedics.
“We follow the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines – Stroke program, which is the standard of care for treating strokes,” Dr. Harrison said.
Recent updates to these guidelines include an expanded treatment window for patients who wake up with stroke symptoms as well as approval for a new clot-busting drug.
If you believe you or someone else may be experiencing a stroke right now, call 9-1-1 immediately.
