Methodist Strides4Stroke Awareness Campaign

What is stroke?
Stroke, also called brain attack, occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted. Disruption in blood flow is caused when either a blood clot blocks one of the vital blood vessels in the brain (ischemic stroke), or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into surrounding tissues (hemorrhagic stroke).

The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients in order to function. Even a brief interruption in blood supply can cause problems. Brain cells begin to die after just a few minutes without blood or oxygen. The area of dead cells in tissues is called an infarct. Due to both the physical and chemical changes that occur in the brain with stroke, damage can continue to occur for several days. This is called a stroke-in-evolution.

A loss of brain function occurs with brain cell death. This may include impaired ability with movement, speech, thinking and memory, bowel and bladder, eating, emotional control, and other vital body functions. Recovery from stroke and the specific ability affected depends on the size and location of the stroke. A small stroke may result in only minor problems such as weakness in an arm or leg. Larger strokes may cause paralysis (inability to move part of the body), loss of speech, or even death.

If you notice any of the following stroke warning signs, call 9-1-1 and ask emergency medical personnel to take you to a hospital with a primary stroke center:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body;
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding;
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes;
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; and
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

Alternatively, the FAST method is an easy way to assess stroke symptoms. Share this information with those you know and you could help save a life:

• Face - Does one side of the face droop? Ask the person to smile.
• Arm - Does one arm drift downward? Ask the person to raise both arms.
• Speech - Does their speech sound slurred or strange? Ask the person to repeat a simple phase.
• Time - If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 9-1-1.

About the Eddy Scurlock Stroke Center
With 18 beds, the Eddy Scurlock Stroke Center at the Methodist Neurological Institute (NI) is the largest dedicated stroke unit in Texas and designated a certified primary stroke center by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). The Center is a leader in all areas of stroke research, including diagnosis, innovative treatment, prevention, rehabilitation, and recovery.

About the Methodist Neurological Institute
The Methodist Neurological Institute (NI) houses the practice and research activities of the departments of neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology, and physical medicine & rehabilitation of The Methodist Hospital. The mission of the NI is to advance the discovery of the origins, mechanisms and treatment of neurological disease and to provide comprehensive care for patients with disorders and injuries of the brain and spinal cord.

The Methodist Hospital is one of the nation’s largest private, non-profit general hospitals. Methodist is primarily affiliated with Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York Presbyterian Hospital. The hospital is also affiliated with the University of Houston.

Methodist is ranked among the country’s top centers in six specialties in U.S News & World Report’s 2006 America’s Best Hospitals issue. The hospital ranked in more specialties than any other hospital in Houston, and is 10th in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery.

For more information on the Methodist Neurological Institute and the Eddy Scurlock Stroke Center, call (713) 790-3333or visit www.methodistneuroinstitute.com.

According to the National Stroke Association (NSA), it is important to learn the three R's of stroke:

• Reduce the risk.
• Recognize the symptoms.
• Respond by calling 911 (or your local ambulance service).

Stroke is an emergency and should be treated as such. The greatest chance for recovery from stroke occurs when emergency treatment is started immediately.