February 6, 2001. Copyright 2001. Graphic News. All rights reserved.

CALL EMERGENCY AT FIRST SIGNS OF STROKE

LONDON, February 6, Graphic News: MOST patients who suffer a stroke are waiting too long to get to a hospital for care, increasing the risk of serious disability or death, according to new American research.

The study of 10 New Jersey hospitals found that only 46 percent of stroke patients came to a hospital within the first crucial three hours, when treatment can best prevent permanent disability caused by too little blood flow to the brain.

Only six out of ten of the stroke patients studied came to a hospital within six hours of the onset of symptoms, the outer limit when doctors have a chance of preventing brain damage, paralysis and other severe effects.

The World Health Organization says that 4.6 million people die from strokes each year -- accounting for almost nine percent of all deaths. Strokes, or Òbrain attacks,Ó are the number four killer, after infectious diseases, heart disease and cancer.

Strokes strike with little or no warning, causing loss of sensation or weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, fainting and sudden trouble thinking, speaking, seeing or hearing.

In a stroke, blood supply to the brain is suddenly cut off, killing or damaging brain cells. Such brain attacks are caused by a cerebral thrombosis, in which a blood clot builds up within an artery in the brain; a cerebral embolism, when a clot from elsewhere in the body breaks off and lodges in a brain artery; or a haemorrhage, caused by the bursting of a blood vessel in the brain.

Cerebral thrombosis and embolism account for about 80 percent of strokes while haemorrhage accounts for the other 20 percent.

One reason prompt treatment is so critical is that doctors must quickly determine which is the cause, because giving clot-busting drugs to patients whose brains are bleeding would cause more damage. Some clot-busters, including the genetically engineered drug t-PA -- todayÕs best treatment -- is only approved for use within three hours of the onset of symptoms.

Strokes can affect anybody, although theyÕre far more common in the older population, with 75 percent of strokes affecting the over 65s.

Even though there are some risk factors for strokes that canÕt be changed -- getting older or being male -- there are many others that can be reduced to cut the chances of being struck down.

Two of the most important risk factors are high blood pressure and smoking, others include high cholesterol and obesity. 

People at risk should have their blood pressure checked regularly, exercise, eat a diet low in salt and fat and rich in fruit and vegetables and cut down alcohol consumption.

The study of 553 stroke patients between 1996 and 1997 is published in the January edition of the journal ÒStroke.Ó

ÒThis study confirms that if you think youÕre having signs of a stroke, the first thing you should do is call emergency,Ó said Dr. Daniel F. Hanley Jr. of the American Stroke Association. ÒDonÕt call your doctor, donÕt ask a relative what you should do, and donÕt wait to see if you feel better.Ó
/ENDS
Sources: American Stroke Association, British Medical Association, Associated Press, Reuters