The Stroke CenterAbout Stroke & The BrainWhat is Stroke Printer Friendly Page

After only four to five minutes without sufficient oxygen, the sensitive cells of the brain suffer permanent damage or die. This impairs or destroys the function(s) that the affected area(s) of the brain controls – jeopardizing an individual’s ability to walk, talk...even to do the things we take for granted, such as breathing. Unlike many other cells in the body, when brain cells die, they cannot be replaced.

Stroke is the No. 3 cause of death in the United States and the leading reason for disability among adults. Nationwide, it afflicts more than 700,000 people annually — about one person every 45 seconds.

Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) have long been referred to as strokes because victims appear to be suddenly struck down, as if by the “stroke” of God’s hand. And, until recently, when a stroke occurred, it simply had to run its course. Physicians had no way of intervening to halt the damage in progress or limit its scope. The name reflects the helplessness that once had been felt in both preventing and treating this disease.

But perceptions, and reality, are rapidly changing. Since the mid-1990s, dramatic developments have occurred in all areas of stroke management. Not only are the causes and symptoms much better understood, but great strides continue to be made in preventing stroke and in changing the course it takes once it occurs. New diagnostic and treatment methods have the potential to save lives and prevent some of the most devastating consequences of stroke, making it imperative to seek medical attention at the first sign of a possible stroke. Patients’ chances of survival and recovery without disability are vastly improved thanks to new drugs, medical devices and procedures and the emergence of a specialty within medicine dedicated to the battle against stroke.

Around the United States, medical centers with special sophisticated technology and expertise are emerging as “comprehensive stroke centers” (also called “primary stroke centers”). Here, patients in the midst of a stroke (acute stroke) can be treated at any time of day or night by qualified specialists using the latest and widest variety of treatment options. The act of intercepting a stroke in progress to prevent, limit or sometimes reverse damage is commonly referred to as “intervention.” While stroke never may be prevented entirely, the day is at hand when prognosis may be no worse than that for heart attack victims — more and more of whom live to see another day with minimal impact on their lives.

These comprehensive stroke centers are also at the forefront of caring for patients during the critical hours and days after acute stroke with specialized recovery units. And their special technology and expertise make them leaders in preventing stroke and stroke recurrence among those at risk. They also tend to be leading research institutions for advancements in stroke therapy and prevention.

The key to surviving a stroke and recovering with minimal or no disability is speed. Stroke is now recognized as a medical emergency. To emphasize the urgency and the need for rapid treatment, stroke specialists have started using the term “brain attack.” It is common knowledge that heart attacks require immediate attention; using the same terminology to describe a stroke is intended to make a similar connection.

Efforts are mounting to spread the word that stroke is both treatable and preventable. One message that consistently has been emphasized among physicians and the public is that time is of the essence. Stroke isn’t necessarily a death sentence, nor does it necessarily condemn the victim to a life of disability. The faster a patient is diagnosed and treated, the greater the options for limiting the damage that once might have been inevitable.

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