Rapides Regional kicks off second decade of Tackle Stroke

When Pineville High School hosts Buckeye and Peabody in its annual jamboree, it will mark year 11 of Rapides Region Medical Center's Tackle Stroke program to raise awareness of the symptoms and risk factors of stroke.

The Pineville jamboree takes place on Friday, August 28. Members of the RRMC Stroke Team will distribute hand-held fans to help spectators cope with the heat and humidity.

The fans not only keep spectators comfortable, but they also list the symptoms and risk factors of stroke, which still impacts 800,000 Americans annually. In Louisiana, stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death and the Louisiana stroke death rate is the third highest in the country.

"One of our missions as a certified stroke center is to engage with our community and bring awareness about the warning signs of stroke," said Rapides Regional Medical Center Stroke Program Coordinator Toni Burton, RN, BS-AN. "This is an important community education event we do each year."

In addition to the Pineville jamboree, Rapides Regional colleagues will also distribute stroke fans at Alexandria Senior High and Menard on Sept. 4, and Sept. 11 at Tioga High School.

Learning the symptoms of stroke is critical to surviving strokes. They are the leading cause of serious, long-term disability. Of the nearly 800,000 people who experience strokes annually, 2/3 are experiencing their first attack.

Risk factors for stroke include hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, physical inactivity and obesity, all of which are more prevalent in Central Louisiana residents than in many areas of the country. Knowing the risk factors is critical as 80 percent of all strokes are preventable.

"The quicker someone experiencing a stroke seeks and receives medical treatment, the better the outcome," said Burton.

The symptoms and warning signs of stroke are best remembered by "BE FAST."

B - Balance. Do you have loss of balance, a headache or dizziness?

E - Eyes. Do you have blurred vision?

F - Face. Is one side of the face drooping?

A - Arms. Does either arm drift down when raised?

S - Speech. Is speech slurred or confusing?

T - Time. If you observe any of these signs, dial 9-1-1.

The Emergency Department of Rapides Regional Medical Center has been certified an Advanced Primary Stroke Center since 2009 by The Joint Commission. Rapides Regional is also the only local hospital that provides Neurosurgery Coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Time is important when someone is having a stroke so they may receive medical care and the blood-clot busting drug, tPA. Just a few minutes may make the difference in saving a person's ability to walk or eat.

Rapides Regional Medical Center recently received American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke award for the fifth straight year for its treatment of heart disease and stroke.