All three of the St. Rose Dominican Hospitals are now
Joint Commission certified Primary Stroke Centers!
Information on Stroke
Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States - with more than 750,000 strokes each year. Strokes cause more serious long-term disabilities than any other disease, and the risk of having a stroke more than doubles each decade after age 55, while nearly three-quarters of all strokes occur in people over the age of 65.
What is a a stroke?
A stroke is a brain injury that occurs when an artery (a blood vessel carrying blood to the brain) ruptures or is blocked. The brain has very limited energy stores and relies on a steady flow of fresh blood to meet its energy needs. When blood flow to the brain is severely limited or blocked, cells in the immediate area begin to die within four to 10 minutes. When brain cells are injured or die, the part of the body they control cannot work as it should.
St. Rose Dominican Hospitals Neuroscience Program
St. Rose Dominican Hospitals is a leader in acute stroke intervention, care and rehabilita- tion. Capabilities include telemedicine through the use of InTouch RP-7i robots, to ensure a stroke patient can receive treatment without delay.
Types of Stroke
There are three types of strokes:
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An Ischemic Stroke is a stroke caused by a blocked artery. This is the most common type of stroke (85 percent of strokes are ischemic) and it can sometimes be treated with clot busting drugs.
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A Hemorrhagic Stroke is a stroke caused by a ruptured blood vessel which results in bleeding into the brain tissue.
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A Transient Ischemic Attack, or TIA, is also called a “mini stroke” and occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery for a short time. The symptoms of a TIA are similar to the warning signs of a stroke but usually last only a few minutes. About 10 percent of strokes are preceded by TIAs, which are very strong predictors of stroke risk. TIAs are a medical emergency and should be treated immediately.
Signs and Symptoms of Stroke
During a stroke, blood stops flowing to part of the brain. This can damage areas in the brain that control the rest of the body. Get help immediately if any of the following symptoms come on suddenly, even if the symptoms don't last long.
Warning signs of a stroke can include:
- Sudden weakness, numbness or tingling of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, slurred speech or trouble understanding others.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes or double vision.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, a feeling of spinning, loss of balance, the feeling of falling, loss of coordination or even a blackout.
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.
Stroke is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY. If you recognize any of these symptoms, act FAST and call 9-1-1!
F = Face Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A = Arm Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward or have no resistance?
S = Speech Ask the person to say a simple phrase. Are the words slurred or incomprehensible?
T = Time Timing is everything. If you observe any of these signs in yourself or someone around you, call 9-1-1 immediately and tell them you think the person is having a stroke. Do not wait for symptoms to worsen, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Risk Factors for Stroke
Certain risk factors and lifestyle issues make it more likely that you will develop artery disease and have a stroke. Some risk factors for stroke can be controlled while others cannot. Knowing the risk factors and changing your lifestyle can help you avoid having a stroke.
Health Risk Factors
- You are overweight and/or obese
- You have high blood pressure
- You have diabetes
- You have atrial fibrillation
- You have had prior heart attacks
- You have narrowed arteries
- You have had prior strokes
Lifestyle Risk Factors
- You smoke
- You are physically inactive
- You drink more than two alcoholic drinks per day
- Your regularly eat salty, fried or greasy foods
Age and Family History
- You are over age 60
- Your parents, brother or sister have had a stroke
- Gender - while more men have strokes each year, more than half of stroke deaths occur in women
- Stroke is more common among African Americans
Metabolic Syndrome Raises Risk
Any of the above factors puts you at increased risk for stroke, but having three or more of certain risk factors (metabolic syndrome) multiplies your risk. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist or abnormal cholesterol levels, increasing your risk for not just stroke, but heart disease and diabetes.
Preventing Another Stroke
Stroke survivors should be monitored closely by either a primary care physician or neurologist to prevent a second stroke. In many cases, your physician will prescribe a blood thinning medication such as warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin (or both). It is very important to follow the dosage and directions prescribed by your doctor.
Recovering from A Stroke
- Rehabilitation - Treatment for stroke begins while the patient is in the hospital. Some people recover spontaneously from their stroke and do not require rehabilitation while others will require rehabilitation. There are different types of rehabilitation programs for a stroke - your physician, family and hospital staff will help you decide which program is right for you.
- Physical Effects of A Stroke - Strokes affect people differently depending on the size of the stroke - large or small - and which side of the brain is affected. When part of the brain is damaged, physical or mental functions can be altered or lost. Physical effects of stroke include:
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- Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Loss of sensation, numbness or pain
- Loss of bowel and/or bladder control
- Trouble swallowing
- Complete or partial blindness
- Speech difficulties or inability to speak
- Memory and thought difficulties
- Tiring easily
- Ignoring things on one side of the body
- Depression
Lifestyle Changes
Stop Smoking - Smoking raises blood pressure and damages arteries, both of which can lead to a stroke. Quitting smoking can be hard, but when your health or the health of a loved one is at stake, kicking the habit is a necessary lifestyle change.
For counseling or to register for St. Rose Dominican Hospitals’ Freedom from Smoking Program, a seven-week American Lung Association smoking cessation program in a supportive setting, please call 702.616.4900.
Limit Alcohol - If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation. Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of stroke. Alcohol can also react with certain medications, so ask your doctor if it’s safe for you to drink alcohol.
Get Support - A stroke can leave you feeling frustrated or depressed. Don't ignore your feelings. Talk with family, friends, your doctor or clergy.
Call 702.616.4900 for information, dates and times for the “Stroke Club @ St. Rose” or the "Aphasia Lunch Bunch." Both support groups are open to men and women.
Reduce Stress - Stress can make your heart work harder and raise your blood pressure. To reduce stress, get proper rest and try to "let go" of the little things. Try something new to reduce your stress, like yoga or even laughter! Don't be embarrassed to ask for help when you need it.
Call 702.616.4900 for classes that can help you restore balance to your life.
Get Active!
- Being physically active doesn't have to take a lot of time. The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association recommend 30 minutes of exercise a day, five to seven days per week. Exercise can be broken up into three, 10 minute brisk walks during the day!
Physical activity will build endurance, control blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, help with weight loss and reduce your risk for developing diabetes. The key is finding activities that fit your lifestyle and abilities.
Manage Other Health Problems - Strokes are often closely related to certain health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. If you have any of these conditions, it’s more important than ever to keep them under control. Do this by taking all prescribed medications and having regular checkups. Keep in mind that the same healthy lifestyle choices that help prevent stroke will also help control other health problems.
High Blood Pressure - If your blood pressure is elevated, work with your doctor to control it. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the most common causes of stroke. Medications, diet, exercise and weight loss can assist in controlling your blood pressure. Each day that your blood pressure is too high, your chances of having a stroke are increased.
Your blood pressure is expressed in two numbers (e.g., 120/80). The first number, known as systolic blood pressure, is a measurement of the force your blood exerts on blood vessel walls as your heart pumps. The second number, the diastolic blood pressure, is a measurement of the force your blood exerts on blood vessel walls when your heart is at rest between beats.
For people over age 18, optimal blood pressure is considered lower than 120/80. It varies occasionally with exercise and stress. A blood pressure reading consistently higher than 120/80 up to 139/89 is considered pre-hypertension. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a measurement of 140/90 or higher. Have your blood pressure checked at least once each year, or more often if you have a history of high blood pressure, have had a previous heart attack or stroke, are diabetic, have kidney disease, high cholesterol or are overweight.
High Cholesterol - In addition to medications, diet, exercise and weight loss can help you control your cholesterol levels. Diet (healthy meal choices) can help lower your high blood pressure and cholesterol. Ask to see a dietitian or schedule a nutrition consultation with a registered dietitian through the The Barbara Greenspun WomensCare Center of Excellence. Call 702.616.6545.
Atrial Fibrillation - Find out if you have it. Atrial fibrillation is a condition that causes the upper chambers of the heart, the atria, to quiver instead of beating effectively to move blood into the ventricle. This quivering causes blood flow to slow and pool and can increase the risk of clotting. Treatment for atrial fibrillation includes medication; ask your physician what medications are right for you. Your physician may also choose to perform a cardioversion, where the atria are electrically converted back into a regular rhythm.
Diabetes - Diabetes is an independent risk factor for stroke. Many people with diabetes also have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and are overweight. Diabetes is manageable with medications; diet and exercise can also help manage diabetes.
Joint Commission Certified Primary Stroke Centers
All three of the St. Rose Dominican Hospitals are now Joint Commission certified Primary Stroke Centers!
The Siena Campus earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers in August 2010. At the time, it was the first and only hospital certified for stroke care in Henderson, Nevada.
The San Martín Campus earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers in October 2011 allowing St. Rose to provide this critical care to patients in southwest Las Vegas.
The Rose de Lima Campus was recognized in October 2012 by The Joint Commission, in conjunction with The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, with an Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers.
The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Center Certifications are based on published recommendations for stroke centers developed by experts in the field. To receive the Primary Stroke Center designation, a stroke program must educate and train physicians and nursing staff in stroke care, and put in place processes for delivering clinical care developed by physician and nursing experts in the field; this includes being prepared to give the clot-busting medication, t-PA.
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In addition to the Joint Commission requirements, the Siena Campus offers advanced stroke care by providing interventional neuroradiology, which allows for advanced life-saving techniques (beyond what is required by The Joint Commission) to be performed for victims of stroke. The Siena Campus is one of only two stroke centers in southern Nevada that provides these advanced stroke services.
The Rose de Lima, Siena and San Martin Campuses all now provide t-PA, a clot-busting medication, to all applicable stroke patients as well as interventional neuroradiology and neurosurgical services 24/7 for comprehensive stroke care. This means that all treatment options for stroke are now available at the Siena campus.
“We are proud to have achieved our Primary Stroke Center distinctions,” says Rod Davis, president, St. Rose Dominican Hospitals. “Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes our commitment to providing outstanding stroke care to our patients and our community. The certification is exciting for our three hospitals – and valley residents – because it means that they can now receive high-level interventional stroke care close to home.”
When it comes to stroke, “Time is Brain.”
Before St. Rose received its stroke certification, patients in Henderson had to be transported to a different hospital in Las Vegas about 20 minutes away, a process that wasted precious time. Residents on the south and east sides of town can now be brought to the Siena Campus and get treated more quickly.
“People are becoming more informed but still need to understand that stroke doesn't affect just our older population – it affects young adults as well,” said Scott Selco, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Director of Stroke Care for St. Rose.
On average, someone suffers a stroke every 45 seconds and someone dies of a stroke every 3.1 minutes. Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States, with about 4.7 million stroke survivors alive today.
“St. Rose Dominican Hospitals demonstrated that its stroke care program follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients,” said Jean E. Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q., executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, Joint Commission.
Additional Stroke Resources
For more information on stroke or stroke prevention, please click on the following links:
(Rev.4/24/13).
