Study Finds Nearly Half of People With Stroke Symptoms Not Calling 911

Despite efforts to inform the public of the urgency for rapid treatment for stroke victims and the effective treatments available, the number of patients using an ambulance for rapid transportation to a treatment center has not changed since the mid-1990s.

In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center said their research highlights the need for even more education about strokes.

The study, led by Dr. Hooman Kamel, a neurologist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell and assistant professor of neurology at Weill Cornell Medical College, analyzed data collected by the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey between 1997 and 2008. “People do not always recognize the seriousness of stroke symptoms, or instead of calling 911, they may call their primary care physician for an appointment and lose valuable time as the damage becomes irreversible,” Dr. Kamel said.

The study found that 51 percent of adults diagnosed with stroke in emergency departments nationwide arrived via ambulance, with no significant change during the 11 years. Dr. Kamel said recovery is possible with early treatment. “We have drugs and surgeries that can minimize brain damage from a stroke,’’ he said, “but they can be used only within a few short hours.”

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, a 911 call should be made if any of these symptoms are experienced:

·         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;

·         Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

For more about  the study, check out http://nyp.org/news/hospital/study-stroke-symptoms-hooman.html. The Home Instead Senior Care network’s 2012 Family Caregiver Support Web Seminar Series features monthly seminars for family caregivers on a variety of topics that can help them care for their aging loved ones.  Learn more about the topics and preregister at Caregiverstress.com/familyeducation.