A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot. Without oxygenated blood, the heart muscle begins to die. A stroke is a brain attack, cutting off vital blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Stroke happens when a blood vessel feeding the brain gets clogged or bursts.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Treatment is most effective when given within the first few hours after a stroke has occurred, so it’s important to recognize the symptoms and act quickly. If you suspect a stroke, call 911 immediately. EMS can begin vital treatment in the ambulance.
“We use the expression ‘time is brain’ to educate people that the faster they get to the emergency room, the better their chances of a positive outcome,” says Christa Callahan, RN, Stroke Program Nurse Manager at Inova Fairfax Hospital. “If you were having chest pain, you wouldn’t hesitate to call for help, but people with stroke symptoms often wait to see if they will go away. Delay can be fatal. Early medical treatment reduces the risk of death or disability from stroke.”
Inova Alexandria, Inova Fairfax, Inova Loudoun and Inova Mount Vernon hospitals are all designated Primary Stroke Centers. This is a gold seal of approval from The Joint Commission, an organization that recognizes hospitals and facilities that make exceptional efforts to meet the unique needs of stroke patients.
“We use the expression ‘time is brain’ to educate people that the faster they get to the emergency room, the better their chances of a positive outcome,” says Christa Callahan, RN, Stroke Program Nurse Manager at Inova Fairfax Hospital. “If you were having chest pain, you wouldn’t hesitate to call for help, but people with stroke symptoms often wait to see if they will go away. Delay can be fatal. Early medical treatment reduces the risk of death or disability from stroke.”
Inova Alexandria, Inova Fairfax, Inova Loudoun and Inova Mount Vernon hospitals are all designated Primary Stroke Centers. This is a gold seal of approval from The Joint Commission, an organization that recognizes hospitals and facilities that make exceptional efforts to meet the unique needs of stroke patients.