Operation Stroke Snohomish County:
The health of your local health care
In Snohomish County, the mortality rate for stroke has not improved for 15 years. Studies reveal that public awareness of the risks and warning signs for stroke is alarmingly low. Over 75 percent of Americans cannot name the most common warning signs. The elderly, who are at greatest risk for stroke, are the least likely to know the warning signs.
Studies also show that persons with acute stroke are often not getting to the hospital in time for appropriate treatment because they don't know the warning signs and don't realize that stroke is a medical emergency. The average person with onset of stroke symptoms waits 22 hours before seeking medical help. Ideally, persons with stroke should be in the hospital for evaluation within three hours of symptom onset.
Through participation in Operation Stroke, an initiative launched recently by the American Stroke Association, CAscade Valley Hospital and Clinics is committed to saving lives and reducing stroke disability by improving the early recognition of stroke warning signs and reducing time to treatment.
The warnings signs for strokes are:
- Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, and leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden mental confusion or trouble speaking or understanding.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
In addition to knowing the warnings signs of stroke and the importance of immediately seeking medical care by calling 911, it is important to know the factors that increase risk for stroke and how to change them. Stroke risk can be reduced by controlling high blood pressure, lowering elevated cholesterol levels, being physically active, avoiding obesity, not smoking, drinking alcohol only in moderation, and getting regular medical checkups to identify diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, that can increase the risk of stroke.
Over the next year, Cascade Valley Hospital and Clinics (along with other participants in Operation Stroke) will be working to build improvements into the emergency medical care and hospital care systems to increase chances for the best possible stroke outcomes. Just as important will be efforts to increase awareness of the warning signs of stroke and encouraging persons with these warning signs to call 911 immediately. With a coordinated effort between the public and our health care systems, stroke outcomes can be improved.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only. It should not replace a visit with your health care professional. Call your doctor if you need more information or have additional questions.