JULY 2014 SUNRAYS | 11
ONLINE:
SCTXCA.ORG
It is important for all residents to be aware of
what constitutes a stroke and how to detect
symptoms immediately. A stroke (cerebrovas-
cular accident, CVA, or brain attack) is the
loss of your brain’s ability to function properly
due to a problem with blood supply. This can be caused by a
blockage in a vessel or bleeding from a vessel. It is a true medi-
cal emergency because the cells begin to die quickly without
oxygen in the blood. The risk factors and causes of a CVA are
many―and most of us know what they are. However, here in
Sun City Texas, there is one risk factor in particular that all
of us share and can’t do anything about…AGE! That’s right,
the older we get, the more likely we are to experience a stroke.
Guys are most likely to have a stroke at an earlier age,
but gals are less likely to survive an attack!
For the most part, the signs and symptoms of a CVA start sud-
denly (over seconds or a few minutes). This is where you need
to become familiar with the mnemonic:
FAST.
• F is for Face
—Does one side of the face droop down?
• A is for Arms
—If both arms are raised, is one arm weak?
• S is for Speech
—Is it slurred or confused?
• T is for Time
―Time is critical.
Note the time the signs
and symptoms began.
If one of these indicators is present, call 911 immediately. Brain
cells could be dying! The person who answers your call is trained
to help you and will tell you exactly what to do.
• Do not wait for the situation to improve before you
call 911.
• Do not drive yourself or a loved one to the emergency
room.
St. David’s and Scott & White hospitals have highly-trained
“stroke” teams designed specifically to diagnose and treat this
emergency. Each hospital has been designated as a Primary
Stroke Center. Once in the ER, the team will set about find-
ing a diagnosis through a physical exam, along with the help
of pictures or scans of the brain and blood vessels. The type of
stroke will determine the appropriate treatment. Significant
advances have been made in surgical procedures to stop the
bleeding or remove a blockage. There are also medications to
break up an existing clot or stop one from forming along with
new medications for blood pressure and cholesterol issues.
Remember, the good news is the diagnosis of stroke is no longer
synonymous with a disability or the loss of independence, but you
must seek medical help
FAST
to get the best possible outcome!
CA NEWS
Stroke Awareness
Submitted by Meg Johnson, RN
CPR/FIRST AID/AED CLASSES
CPR/First Aid/AED classes are taught monthly
in Sun City. For information, contact Barbara
Akers at
