Vim & Vigor - Summer 2019 - CH - 21

up to 24 hours, Goldstein says symptoms typically resolve within minutes.

What Are the
Symptoms?

Depending on what part of the brain
is affected, a person experiencing TIA
might have balance problems, weakness or numbness in the legs or arms,
blurred vision, facial drooping or difficulty speaking. "It may be one symptom or a combination, but you should
still seek treatment immediately,"
Goldstein says.

If It's Temporary, Why
Go to the Hospital?

Even if symptoms seem to pass quickly,
don't skip the emergency department
trip. According to the National Stroke
Association, 40 percent of TIA sufferers go on to have a stroke, and nearly
half of all strokes occur within the first
few days after a TIA.
"At first, you don't know if it's going
to become a full-fledged stroke, and
the longer brain cells go without blood
and oxygen, the higher the chance of
permanent damage," Goldstein says.
Certain medications, such as clot dissolvers, need to be given right away,
ideally within three hours of symptoms
appearing. "We can intervene with
medications or even mechanically, to
pull the clot out, but this has to be done
relatively quickly," Goldstein adds.
"The warning sign can be a really
good thing," he says, "because it gives
us the opportunity to prevent a full
stroke from occurring." The bottom
line? If you're having signs of a TIA or
stroke, go to an emergency department
right away.

What Can Doctors Do?

After you're admitted, you'll probably
have bloodwork and a blood pressure
screening. A TIA can be an indicator
of heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, so you'll
be checked for these risk factors. In

some cases, fast-acting medicines called
thrombolytic agents are given right away
to help dissolve possible blood clots.
One cardiac condition, atrial fibrillation, refers to an irregular heartbeat that
puts people at an especially high risk
of having a stroke; AFib can be treated
with prescription blood thinners to help
reduce the chance of future attacks.
Diagnostic tests such as computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain
can help discover permanent brain damage. Some physicians may also order
imaging of the carotid arteries, found on
the sides of the neck; the narrowing of
these and the subsequent plaque buildup
inside them can lead to TIAs. If issues
with a carotid artery are found, they can
be corrected with a surgical procedure.

3 Exercise and lose weight. "Even
just 30 minutes of brisk walking most
days of the week can reduce your stroke
risk," says Goldstein, who also recommends maintaining a BMI of 25 or less.
3 Limit or avoid alcohol. The journal
Stroke found that in middle age, having
more than two daily drinks may raise
stroke risk as much as high blood pressure and diabetes do. ■

Can I Prevent a TIA?

You can. If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, poorly controlled
blood sugar or other chronic health
issues, seek treatment. Simple lifestyle
changes also make a big difference.
3 Stop smoking. "Smoking doubles
your risk for stroke, and secondhand
smoke exposure poses almost as much
risk," Goldstein says.
3 Eat smartly. Goldstein suggests
an eating plan that's rich in fruits and
vegetables, high in potassium and low
in sodium and saturated fats. Both the
DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop
Hypertension) diet and Mediterraneanstyle eating plans have been associated
with lower stroke risk.

TeleStroke
Saves Lives
Working to improve stroke care, the hospitals of Community Healthcare System offer
a video robotic system that brings boardcertified vascular neurologists from Rush
University Medical Center to the patient's
bedside. "TeleStroke" technology is being
used 24/7, 365 days per year to expand
treatment options for ischemic stroke
patients in the emergency departments of
Community Hospital, St. Catherine Hospital
and St. Mary Medical Center.
During a TeleStroke assessment, a Rush
neurologist can review CT scans, vital
signs and view a patient's pupils through
a high-definition camera located on the
robot. The physician also has access to
the patient's medical information through
an electronic medical record.
The assessment helps the hospitals'
emergency teams quickly determine if the
patient is an appropriate candidate for tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). When
administered in a timely manner, tPA can
save lives or reduce the effects of stroke.

WEBSITE

Recognized Stroke Care
Community Healthcare System hospitals have earned national recognition
for outstanding stroke care. Patients benefit from individualized care that
optimizes recovery and independence while focusing on prevention of future
strokes. Visit COMHS.org/stroke.

SUMME R 2019

http://www.COMHS.org/stroke

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2019 - CH

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