Home
Archive
Newsletters
Video
Blogs
Discuss
About
Search
Donate
Advertise

Want to Save Some Lives? Here is a Simple Formula for Identifying Strokes

By Don Hazen, AlterNet. Posted December 22, 2008.


Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the United States. Not knowing its signs can be fatal.

Share and save this post:

      

      

Share on Facebook       

AlterNet Social Networks:
follow us on twitter
find us on Facebook

In Special Coverage

Belief:
Is Blind Faith in God and the Bible a Modern Invention?
Devilstower

Corporate Accountability and WorkPlace:
What Can the Morass of the 1970s Tell Us About the Current Economic Crisis?
Alejandro Reuss

DrugReporter:
Lies About Marijuana Drive People to a Much More Harmful Drug -- Booze
Steve Fox

Environment:
Why Max Baucus' 'No' Vote on the Climate Bill May Really Help Its Passage
Jeff Mcmahon

Food:
Soda Helps Make Americans Unhealthy and Fat -- Will Soda Tax Prevail Despite Pushback by Beverage Industry?
Christine Spolar, Joseph Eaton

Health and Wellness:
Does the House Bill's Public Option Kill Off the Senate's?
Booman

Immigration:
Recent Democratic Victories May Grease the Wheels for Immigration Reform in Congress
Marcelo Balive

Media and Technology:
Focusing on Fort Hood Killer's Beliefs Is an Easy Out to Avoid the Deeper Reasons for the Massacre
Mark Ames

Movie Mix:
The Yes Men: Pranksters Out to Fix the World
Mark Engler

Politics:
What Obama Is Up Against in His Own Branch of Government
Russ Baker

Reproductive Justice and Gender:
How the Stupak Amendment Radically Undermines Women's Rights
Rachel Morris

Rights and Liberties:
"Women Are Being Killed All Over the World": One Reporter's Fight Against So-Called "Honor Killings"
Robert S. Eshelman

Sex and Relationships:
9 Silly Things People Say When They Hear You Don't Want Kids (And Ways to Counter Them)
Liz Langley

Take Action:
G-20 Meetings: Nothing Much Happened in the Suites, and There Was Too Much Punch in the Streets
Laura Flanders

Water:
Why Natural Gas Is Not a Clean Energy Panacea
Stan Cox

World:
Egyptian Marine: Soldiers Often 'Racialize' the Enemy to Cope With Stress
Aaron Glantz

More stories by Don Hazen

Advertisement
Upcoming AlterNet stories on Digg

Do you know when someone might be having a stroke and what to do about it? I didn't, and it spooked me. My sister died earlier this year -- probably from a stroke. But she lived far away from me, and when she noticed something might be wrong, she insisted she didn't want to go to a hospital. She was found dead the following morning.

A fellow board member of Talking Eyes Media, an energetic woman in her 50s, slurred her speech during the day some months ago and didn't think enough of it. She had a massive stroke that evening and will never recover. 

Each year, 600,000-700,000 Americans experience strokes, which are defined as "interruptions of the blood supply to any part of the brain, resulting in damaged brain tissue." Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the United States. Persons surviving strokes often suffer lifelong physical problems involving their speech, limb movement and thought processes.

Since I have known stroke victims, I want to be as aware as possible when a stroke might be happening. I have been in denial in terms of not knowing some simple basic information that could be very helpful, to myself and to others. A stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. But some doctors insist that if you can get a person help within three hours of a stroke, there are chances of reversing it. But that requires a) recognizing that it is happening, and b) getting them to the right medical care.

Meanwhile, there is an e-mail that has been making the rounds for years that provides a very simple, easy-to-remember tool for helping to recognize strokes. Much off-the-wall information flies around the Internet, so one has to be initially skeptical about what lands in your e-mail box. So I did a little research on Snopes.com, which confirms that this straightforward "STR" system of recognizing stroke systems is quite dependable and helpful. The Snopes.com write-up is included after this article.

So, the bottom line is that it is very possible for a bystander to recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

  • S -- Ask the individual to SMILE
  • T -- Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK (coherently) A SIMPLE SENTENCE (E.g. "It is sunny out today.")
  • R -- Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS   

If he or she has trouble with any one of these tasks, call 999/911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

And to remember these three questions, try very hard to remember the letters STR, and remember that they stand for Smile, Talk, Raise. Maybe remember them as the first three letters of the word “stroke.”

As Snopes.com underscores:  "... it is important laypeople learn to recognize such events, because a new drug has been shown to limit disability from strokes caused by clots (ischemic), provided victims receive it within three hours of the onset of stroke symptoms. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)  is a clot-busting drug administered intravenously in cases of ischemic stroke; however, only 1 in 50 stroke patients has a chance of this drug helping them because currently only 2-4 percent of them reach an emergency room in time for tPA to be given.

Stroke Warning Signs

There needs to be a similar awareness of the warning signs of a stroke. Frequently, victims simply don't recognize that they are experiencing a stroke, nor do the people around them. "People really don't know much about strokes," says Dr. Bruce Ovbiagele, director of the Olive View/UCLA Stroke Program and a spokesman for the American Stroke Association. "Only about 27 percent of the public can name one stroke symptom."

In some cases, cognitive problems such as confusion caused by the stroke can impair a person's ability to understand what is happening. So, keep in mind that the warning signs include:


Digg!    Share on facebook   submit to reddit    Bookmark on Delicious   Stumble This  

See more stories tagged with: health, strokes, stroke identification, stroke symptoms, tpa, tissue plasminogen activa

Don Hazen is the executive editor of AlterNet.

Liked this story? Get top stories in your inbox each week from AlterNet! Sign up now »


Advertisement
Advertisement

 

Comments Turn comments off sitewide Give us feedback »
Comments closed.
The comments for this story have been closed. Thank you to everyone who participated.
View:
what are the signs of a 'mini-stroke'?
Posted by: maryyooch on Dec 22, 2008 3:39 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am not sure how to explain this in medical terminology. I know that people can have so-called mini-strokes. My mother was left alone for a long time, and the Doc said she had had a bunch of mini-strokes. He said that if someone had found her sooner than later, she wouldn't have been so bad of and would have suffered a lot less. If you have any information about this, I would be grateful.
Thank you in advance. It is a matter of much concern because I believe that someone I know and love may have had this happening to them without the long term damage to their health.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Emergency care is not difficult!
Posted by: Pleaides on Dec 22, 2008 4:45 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
tPA is NOT a new drug. We have been using it for years. Everyone, EVERYONE should know signs and symptoms of stroke and how to do basic CPR. My Father died because people stood around and waited for someone else to do CPR. The hospital was 4 blocks away. Everyone just waited for the EMT's to arrive...please, please folks, learn CPR and the s/s of stroke. This is not difficult stuff, and you could very well be the one to save a life!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Thanks For This, Don!
Posted by: gazooks on Dec 22, 2008 4:57 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If it saves just one debilitation or death, which it most likely will, this post is time well spent. Someone will be very grateful.

Have yourself a cheerful little solstice!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Excellent article
Posted by: weathered on Dec 22, 2008 5:38 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
this is news we can all use.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Thanks Don Hazen
Posted by: drricklippin on Dec 22, 2008 6:04 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
You have done AlterNet readers a good service here for a very common condition which if detected early can really make a difference in the medical outcome.

I hope your readers pass on this good advice

Be Well,

Dr. Rick Lippin
Southampton,Pa

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

PCRM
Posted by: vasumurti on Dec 22, 2008 6:46 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The Physicians' Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) reports that the following advances in medicine were all made without animal research:

1. Discovery of the relationship between cholesterol and heart disease -- America's No. 1 killer.

2. Discovery of the relationship between smoking and lung cancer and between nutrition and cancer -- the second biggest killer of Americans.

3. Discovery of the relationship between hypertension and stroke -- the No. 3 killer of Americans.

4. Discovery of the causes of trauma, the fourth largest killer of Americans, and the measures to prevent it.

5. Elucidation of the causes of many forms of respiratory disease, America's No. 5 cause of death.

6. Isolation of the AIDS virus.

7. Discovery of the mechanism of AIDS transmission.

8. Discovery of penicillin and its curative effect on various infectious diseases.

9. Development of X-rays.

10. Development of anti-depressant and anti-psychotic drugs.

The PCRM further reports that the use of animals in education, consumer product testing and medical research is ineffective and obsolete. In vitro research, epidemiologic studies, clinical research and computer modeling yield more accurate results.

Let animal slavery join human slavery in the graveyard of the past. Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for "entertainment."

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Some things that were NOT Posted by: zooeyhall
» RE: PCRM Posted by: EncinoM
This is a biased article
Posted by: True2Blue on Dec 22, 2008 8:30 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
And I hope the bias is unintentional. Many of the health care-related articles here are also biased, and I hope the political reporting is more reliable.

First of all, the glowing reports about the use of TPA to dissolve clots are grossly exaggerated. Several studies were done in the mid 1990's which showed no benefit, or worse, more harm than good, which is why it was not used. Then finally the drug companies got a "positive" result, showing a very slight improvement in outcome under very limited conditions, and the dam burst. A whole crusade began, to use the drug whenever possible. Not a surprise, because loads of money are made when it is given, especially by the hospital and the maker of the drug.

The idea that all strokes can be "reversed" by TPA is ludicrous. If you're lucky, you will have slightly less disability from the stroke, if you get TPA. If you're unlucky, TPA will kill you. That's what the studies say, and that's why major journals and medical societies don't recommend it without great reservation.

Also, just about every hospital with an active ER is perfectly trained and willing to give TPA. The idea that you need to go to a "Stroke Center" is also ludicrous. That's propaganda put out by the larger hospitals to increase business and prestige.

I'd suggest Mr. Hazen actually talk to some people familiar with a topic before publishing articles on it. It seems instead he copies down what he reads in the trade journals for hospitals and drug companies.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Great Article....
Posted by: Gentle Axeman on Dec 22, 2008 11:36 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I think this is a great article and folks should burn S-T-R into their memories.....

If only for their own good.....

Had I known what was happening to me last December, might have gotten to the hospital sooner....

Today I might not be hobbling around with a cane and brace, and have an essentially useless right arm....

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Read: My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor
Posted by: Bouldercreeker on Dec 22, 2008 9:43 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am reading an incredible book by a brain scientist, Jill Bolte Taylor, who had a stroke in her 30's. In very accessible language, Taylor teaches basic brain anatomy and physiology, how stroke damages the brain, and how the brain recovers. (It took her 8 years to reach a nearly complete recovery.) She has a section on what forms of therapy and support stroke survivors need which every medical person and caregiver should consider 'required reading.'

One of her lectures is on U Tube. Highly recommended!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Don Hazen, please read this. Spouse had non-paralysis but
Posted by: NYCartist on Dec 24, 2008 3:39 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I'd just heard stroke symptoms warnings on the radio. He woke up. Crying:kept repeating the same questions over and over again. I answered,he couldn't remember and repeated. He knew my name and his name. I called 911 and said I was sure my spouse was having a stroke, from radio. (Mid50s).

The EMS came with police; I am disabled. Spouse, a sci teacher,PhD, was not acting his usual:he swore at the cop. Very mild mannered man,acting changed behavior:a symptom of stroke. I got him quiet.

Cop would not push my wheelchair to ambulance (I walk a few steps in house.)He insisted I could walk. Fool (or just lazy). EMS insisted my spouse push my wheelchair to the ambulance as he refused to go without me. They insisted he was having a panic attack.

Spouse pushed my wheelchair to ambulance (I had to remind him to go to a driveway to get me off the sidewalk.) Pouring downpour in winter. Long walk to the ambulance.

I had to crawl in;no help from drivers (who won't take wheelchair users in ambulancesand ambulances are not wheelchair accessible.). I had to push to get the EMs worker to let spouse lay down. I was fearful of escalation.

At Emergency Room, the driver pushed my wheelchair, knowing they did neglect. NO DOCTOR in ER; nurse put spouse and me in small room. I got him to lay as quietly as possible. Still asking those questions:is my sister dead? yes. etc. I begged some resident to get a dr. when he came to sew a cut on some guy's leg, sharing the ER cubicle. He was near tears and said he couldn't get the dr.

Finally, at rounds a couple of hours later, dr. showed up, saw pupils were different size and ordered CAT scan.

Nasty nurse had cop push my wheelchair out of the ER. Luckily, I had a friend who worked in the hospital who I called,who could come and get me, take me to his office until a friend and a relative show up.

Admitting dr. did not write down my list of spouse's blood pressure meds, so bp escalated that night. I got a nurse on phone,when spouse called..Reached a dr.and got meds before another "event" in his head.

Spouse had had a TIA, ministroke. They kept him almost a week. I made a complaint to NYS investigation. I was the only witness who could speak about it. Spouse has no memory of about 12 hours. Why was no doctor supervising the Emergency Room? The nurse got the blame (but not her fault entirely;no supervision). Result:staff of ER got lecture on how to recognize a stroke with no weakness/paralysis.

Some time later, spouse was at a photography show. Someone he knew started slurring his speak and spouse called 911. That was easy.

A stroke is a stroke if person does not return to normal in 24 hours. Spouse had full recovery,except of memory for 12 hours. Scary when the medical people don't believe what they see. And I asked the medical investigator:what happens if there is no doctor supervising, as happened? (private hospital). He said, "you are f---ed". A very nice man. Good luck,folks. (I wrote to about 8 city and state politicians about the problem.) Remember, you are never the only one,for anything.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

  • AlterNetYour turn

Support AlterNet
Do you value the information you're getting from AlterNet? Please show your support with a tax-deductible donation.


Feedback
Tell us how we're doing.

Advertisement
Advertisement