Navicent Health invites the community to observe National Stroke Month during May by learning to recognize and react to the signs of stroke.
 
According to the American Heart Association, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. It is also a common cause of serious, long-term disability.  On average, 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year, and stroke prevalence is projected to increase by 20.5 percent by 2030.
 
“More than half of those at risk for stroke – 58 percent – do not realize they are at risk, and an estimated one-third of Americans cannot recall the signs of stroke. Central Georgians are at an increased risk for stroke due to the prevalence of common risk factors that include high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and tobacco use. At Navicent Health, our desire is to educate the public so that they minimize their risk for stroke, and also recognize a stroke when it occurs,” said Denise Goings, MSN, RN, SCRN, Stroke Coordinator for The Medical Center, Navicent Health.   
 
Clinicians at Navicent Health remind the public to act FAST if they experience any of these signs or symptoms.
 
·         F – Facial weakness (Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?)

·         A – Arm or leg weakness (Can the person raise both arms?)

·         S – Speech difficulty (Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?)

·         T – Time to act (Seek medical attention immediately!)
 
MCNH, along with other AHA designated stroke centers throughout Georgia, are committed to reducing strokes impact by 20 percent by 2020.
 
MCNH is a five-time recipient of AHA’s “Get With the Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus” Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes MCNH’s commitment to quality care for stroke patients, and success in implementing an exemplary standard of care for stroke patients, according to evidence-based guidelines. In addition, MCNH has also achieved AHA’s Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite for increasing the number of eligible ischemic stroke patients who receive tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, within 45 minutes of arriving at the hospital (known as ‘door-to-needle’ time).
 
“With a stroke, time lost is brain lost. The number of acute ischemic stroke patients eligible for treatment is expected to grow over the next decade due to increasing stroke incidence and a large aging population. At Navicent Health, we will continue to educate the public in order to minimize stroke’s threat, and we will continue to quickly and efficiently treat stroke patients with evidence-based protocols,” said Christopher Hendry, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for Navicent Health.