Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States experiences a stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A stroke occurs when blood flow to parts of the brain is interrupted, depriving it of oxygen and nutrients. This can cause lasting problems even if the disruption is brief.
“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.”
The CDC lists stroke as the fifth leading cause of death in the country, with about 795,000 cases each year.
Strokes are generally categorized into two types: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes result from blocked blood flow—often due to clots—and make up most cases. Hemorrhagic strokes involve bleeding from a ruptured vessel in the brain and tend to have higher fatality rates.
A transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a “mini-stroke,” is caused by a temporary blockage that resolves within minutes or hours but presents similar symptoms. Dr. Harrison advises immediate hospital attention for suspected TIAs because more than one-quarter of those affected may have another TIA or full stroke within a month.
Symptoms can differ based on where the brain is affected but are summarized using B.E.F.A.S.T.: Balance issues; Eye changes such as cloudy vision; Facial drooping; Arm weakness or numbness; Slurred speech or inability to speak; and Time—to call emergency services 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 state and national levels for its work in stroke care and outcomes, following standards set by the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines – Stroke program, which was updated earlier this year with new treatment options for certain patients.
The hospital system maintains a specialized team available around-the-clock including physicians, neurologists, neurosurgeons, nurses, therapists and paramedics trained in current protocols.
St. Joseph’s/Candler operates facilities such as St. Joseph’s Hospital and Candler Hospital according to its official website. It provides healthcare across more than 30 counties in southeast Georgia and South Carolina Lowcountry as stated on their site. The organization also delivers specialized services like cancer care, heart health programs, neurosciences and advanced surgeries as detailed online.
The hospital group emphasizes community outreach initiatives aimed at local health needs per its website, compassionate care guided by faith as described online, and has achieved Magnet status for nursing excellence according to its website.
