Stroke kills cells... don't delay
Untreated stroke kills millions of brain cells
CTV.ca News Staff
For every minute that a stroke victim goes without medical attention, the brain loses nearly 2 million cells, suggests a new study
When those brain cells die, survivors can be left paralyzed, unable to speak or see, or with a number of other devastating disabilities.
"Stroke is a highly treatable disease, but, unfortunately, the time in which physicians can effectively reveres a stroke is short," said Jeffrey L. Saver, a professor of neurology at the University of California and author of the study.
For the first time ever, Saver has done the calculations on exactly how much loss occurs during an ischemic stroke, caused when blood clots cut off blood flow to the brain.
His research, published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, is based on data from a new brain imaging cell counting technique.
Saver found that for every minute lost in getting treatment, stroke victims lose 1.9 million neurons.
In terms of volume, Saver estimates that for every 12 minutes that treatment is delayed, a piece of brain about the size of a pea dies off.
If a stroke runs its full course, without treatment -- estimated at 10 hours on average -- the brain loses 1.2 billion neurons. That is a region a little bigger than a ping pong ball.
"Precious tissue is lost every second. Patients need to get to the hospital at the first sign that a stroke is occurring," said Saver.
Stroke warning signals come on suddenly. They include:
Weakness, numbness in the arms, legs or face
Temporary loss of speech or trouble understanding speech
Loss of vision in one or both eyes
Trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance
A severe headache that has no known cause.
The good news is that there are drugs and surgery that can reduce the long-term disability of strokes, such as the clot-busting drug tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) or anticoagulants (blood thinners), as long as treatment is delivered quickly.
"Every minute that you wait, hoping your symptoms will go away, you lose almost 2 million brain cells. Don't try and tough it out, and don't waste time trying to get in touch with your primary physician or neurologist. You need emergency help," said Saver.
About 300,000 Canadians are living with the effects of stroke, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
Of every 100 people who are hospitalized for stroke, 20 die before leaving hospital, 10 go into an inpatient rehabilitation program, 15 require long-term care, and 50 go home.
Between 40,000 and 50,000 strokes occur in Canada every year, and it is the fourth leading cause of death, the Foundation says.
CTV.ca News Staff
For every minute that a stroke victim goes without medical attention, the brain loses nearly 2 million cells, suggests a new study
When those brain cells die, survivors can be left paralyzed, unable to speak or see, or with a number of other devastating disabilities.
"Stroke is a highly treatable disease, but, unfortunately, the time in which physicians can effectively reveres a stroke is short," said Jeffrey L. Saver, a professor of neurology at the University of California and author of the study.
For the first time ever, Saver has done the calculations on exactly how much loss occurs during an ischemic stroke, caused when blood clots cut off blood flow to the brain.
His research, published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, is based on data from a new brain imaging cell counting technique.
Saver found that for every minute lost in getting treatment, stroke victims lose 1.9 million neurons.
In terms of volume, Saver estimates that for every 12 minutes that treatment is delayed, a piece of brain about the size of a pea dies off.
If a stroke runs its full course, without treatment -- estimated at 10 hours on average -- the brain loses 1.2 billion neurons. That is a region a little bigger than a ping pong ball.
"Precious tissue is lost every second. Patients need to get to the hospital at the first sign that a stroke is occurring," said Saver.
Stroke warning signals come on suddenly. They include:
Weakness, numbness in the arms, legs or face
Temporary loss of speech or trouble understanding speech
Loss of vision in one or both eyes
Trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance
A severe headache that has no known cause.
The good news is that there are drugs and surgery that can reduce the long-term disability of strokes, such as the clot-busting drug tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) or anticoagulants (blood thinners), as long as treatment is delivered quickly.
"Every minute that you wait, hoping your symptoms will go away, you lose almost 2 million brain cells. Don't try and tough it out, and don't waste time trying to get in touch with your primary physician or neurologist. You need emergency help," said Saver.
About 300,000 Canadians are living with the effects of stroke, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
Of every 100 people who are hospitalized for stroke, 20 die before leaving hospital, 10 go into an inpatient rehabilitation program, 15 require long-term care, and 50 go home.
Between 40,000 and 50,000 strokes occur in Canada every year, and it is the fourth leading cause of death, the Foundation says.
posted by iluvboss @ 10:09 p.m.
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