Harlingen – Did you know that every 40-seconds someone suffers a stroke? Did you know
that someone dies every four minutes from a stroke? The chances of a stroke
occurring can be reduced, if not prevented all together; it can be done.
And, it begins with a simple, non-invasive, potentially life-saving screening
being offered at Harlingen Medical Center, one of the top-rated hospitals
for cardiovascular care in the country. The screening,
Stroke Prevention: Vascular Screening, is a limited special engagement that will be offered at the award-winning
and nationally recognized hospital during the month of May, National Stroke
Awareness Month.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than
750,000 strokes occur each year and 75% can be prevented with the utilization
of an ultrasound screening and proper physician follow-up.
"That is why we are offering the
Stroke Prevention: Vascular Screening. This will allow our MRI Technologists to perform a simple, but highly
effective analysis on the Carotid Artery, Abdominal Aorta, and Peripheral
Arteries," said Roy Castillo, Director of Radiology and Imaging Services
at Harlingen Medical Center. "This screening will allow our team
to identify any issue that needs to be addressed, giving us the opportunity
to care for the patient, in advance, before the issue develops into an
urgent medical condition, or worse."
During the
Stroke Prevention: Vascular Screening, an MRI Technologist will first screen the carotid artery for buildup
of fatty plaque. Left untreated, the fatty plaque may lead to a stroke,
also known as a brain attack. A stroke occurs when plaque stops the flow
of blood to the brain or when a blood vessel in or around the brain bursts.
The MRI Technologist will then screen the abdominal aorta. This will search
the aortic artery for the presence of an aneurysm, also known as an enlargement,
which occurs when part of the artery wall weakens and widens abnormally,
or balloons out. Left untreated, a ruptured aneurysm may lead to instant
death. Finally, the MRI Technologist will screen the peripheral arteries
for plaque buildup in the lower extremities (legs). Left untreated, the
plaque may lead to the development of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD),
also known as atherosclerosis. PAD is also known to cause and possibly
more serious health complications.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those who
survive a stroke sometimes do so with serious consequences. Some of these
life-changing consequences include:
- Paralysis or weakness on one side of the body.
- Problems with thinking, awareness, attention, learning, judgment and memory.
- Problems understanding or forming speech.
- Difficulty controlling or expressing emotions.
- Numbness of strange sensations.
- Pain in the hands and feet.
- Depression.
"A stroke cannot only affect someone who is older in age – it
can affect people of all ages," said Ginger Cunningham, RN and Trauma
and Stroke Programs Coordinator at Harlingen Medical Center. "People
need to know what the symptoms are in case they, or someone they know,
or see, begin to experience them."
According to Cunningham, some of the stroke symptoms include:
- Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on the side of the body.
- Confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding.
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance and coordination.
- Severe headaches with no known cause.
"It is so important that people waste no time when they suffer a stroke.
They must receive medical attention immediately," said Cunningham.
"Receiving medical attention immediately is crucial to saving the
patient's life and crucial to preventing a disability for those who
survive. 9-1-1 must be dialed immediately."
There are minor changes people can make to their daily lifestyle, according
to Cunningham, that can help prevent a stroke. Some of these lifestyle
changes include:
- Exercising regularly.
- Eating a healthy diet that's low in sodium.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Prevent or control diabetes.
- Minimize your alcohol intake.
The
Stroke Prevention: Vascular Screening is quick and easy. It can be completed during a lunch break from work.
This, again, is a non-invasive screening. It is completed by scanning
of the skin in the respective areas. All three vascular screenings are
performed at the Radiology and Imaging Department at Harlingen Medical
Center, located at 5501 S. Expressway 77 in Harlingen, Texas. The cost
of the vascular screening is a nominal $139.00. Cash and credit cards
are accepted. Medical insurance companies usually do not cover the cost
of this screening.
If you would like to register for the
Stroke Prevention: Vascular Screening, please contact the Scheduling Department at Harlingen Medical Center
at (956) 365-1839. This, again, is a limited special engagement that the
hospital is offering during the month of May, National Stroke Awareness Month.
About the The Cardiovascular Center at HMC
The Cardiovascular Center at Harlingen Medical Center is paving the way
for progressive treatment of patients from across South Texas. We specialize
in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, and our top-ranked
heart team provides minimally-invasive diagnostic testing and treatment,
as well as advanced cardiac and vascular interventions, such as angioplasty,
stenting, cardiac ablation, open heart surgery, minimally invasive heart
valve repair and replacement, and coronary artery bypass graft.