Dr. Dorothea Altschul
A stroke occurs every 40 seconds in the U.S. To help shed some light and to answer questions, interventional neurologist Dr. Dorothea Altschul from Neurosurgeons of New Jersey, took part once again this year in a World Stroke Day Twitter chat, partnering with Dr. Richard Besser of ABC News.
World Stroke Day, an annual awareness campaign established in 2006 by the World Stroke Organization, is observed around the world on October 29.
The organization’s goals for the campaign include the following:
- to bring attention to the high rates of stroke and the serious nature of them
- to raise awareness about symptoms and possible ways to prevent and treat strokes
- to support better care for stroke survivors
Here are some of the big takeaways from this year’s Twitter Chat (still available via #StrokeChat on our feed, @ColumbiaNeuro):
Strokes are on the rise in people under 65, and while they can affect anybody, risk factors include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity.
Signs of stroke include face droop, arm weakness and/or speech issues. (The American Stroke Association came up with the “F.A.S.T. Song” — think: face, arm, speech, time — to help people recognize the signs of stroke, complete with videos of hip-hop, pop and R&B arrangements.)
Acting quickly is crucial. If you notice signs of stroke in yourself or someone you know, call 911. To get the best treatment, it’s important to arrive at a stroke center within three hours — and of course even faster is better. New stroke studies show that one in three stroke patients can benefit from clot retrieval within six hours.
Some transient stroke symptoms can cause brain cell damage, so even if symptoms seem to be resolved, it’s still important to get to a doctor for treatment.
It’s also useful to remember that a stroke can be prevented through lifestyle modifications, such as exercise (this is where portable fitness trackers can come in).
Find out more about recognizing stroke and reducing risk.
Dorothea Altschul, M.D., is an Assistant Professor of Neurology in Neurological Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. She is board-certified in neurology and vascular neurology. Among her various clinical and research interests is minimally invasive imaging-guided therapies for the treatment of vascular disorders, including various types of acute strokes.
Learn more about Dr. Altschul on her bio page here.
