Promoting Stroke Care in the Cayman Islands

Stop. Take a breath and count to 3: 1-2-3. In those 3 seconds, someone, somewhere has suffered a stroke. That someone could be you or a loved one. A stroke can happen to anyone.

The Cayman Islands keeps excellent statistics about residents’ health. According to a recent census report between 300-400 people suffered stroke/year. The consequences of stroke, even when considered minor will be life-changing.

Understanding Stroke

A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die. Strokes can be separated into two main types: ischemic strokes, caused by blockages (usually blood clots), and hemorrhagic strokes, caused by bleeding in or around the brain.

Almost 15-20% of people experience a warning spell called a T-I-A (Transient Ischemic Attack). TIA is a warning of an often more serious and potentially permanent stroke in the coming hours, days, or weeks.

Just like stroke, TIA (warning stroke) is a medical emergency.

Prompt medical attention is crucial for minimizing brain damage improving recovery outcomes, and reducing the risk of future stroke.

Strokes Only Affect the Elderly:

Misconception: Strokes only happen to older adults. Reality: While the risk of stroke increases with age, strokes can occur at any age. Even young adults, teenagers, and children can suffer from strokes due to various factors. 65% of all strokes occur in people younger than 70.

Strokes Are Rare:

Misconception: Strokes are uncommon. Reality: Strokes are, in fact, quite common. According to the World Health Organization, strokes are the second leading cause of death globally and a major cause of disability.

Strokes Are Always Fatal:

Misconception: All strokes lead to death. Reality: Many people survive strokes, especially if they receive prompt medical treatment. However, survivors often face challenges such as physical disabilities, speech difficulties, and emotional changes, which require long-term rehabilitation.

Symptoms of a Stroke Are Easy to Recognize:

Misconception: The signs of a stroke are always obvious. Reality: While some stroke symptoms, like sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, are noticeable, others can be subtle. Symptoms like confusion, dizziness, or sudden severe headaches can be mistaken for other conditions. Using the BE FAST acronym (Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time) can help in recognizing stroke symptoms quickly.

You Can’t Prevent a Stroke:

Misconception: Strokes are inevitable and cannot be prevented. Reality: Many strokes can be prevented through lifestyle changes and managing risk factors. Controlling high blood pressure, maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, quitting smoking, weight loss, managing stress, and managing diabetes can significantly reduce the risk of stroke.

Recovery from Stroke is Impossible:

Misconception: Once you’ve had a stroke, full recovery is impossible. Reality: While some stroke survivors experience lasting effects, many can recover significantly with proper rehabilitation. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy can help stroke survivors regain independence and improve their quality of life.

You Can’t Have More Than One Stroke:

Misconception: Once you’ve had one stroke, you can’t have another. Reality: Having a stroke increases the risk of subsequent strokes. It’s crucial for stroke survivors to manage their health and follow medical advice to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Only Men Have Strokes:

Misconception: Strokes primarily affect men. Reality: Strokes affect both men and women, but women have a higher lifetime risk of stroke. Women also face unique risk factors, such as pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, which can influence stroke risk.

All Strokes Have the Same Symptoms:

Misconception: Every stroke presents the same way. Reality: Symptoms can vary widely depending on the type of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) and the part of the brain affected. Some strokes cause paralysis on one side of the body, while others might cause speech difficulties, vision problems, or severe headaches.

Recognizing Stroke Symptoms: BE FAST

“TIME IS BRAIN”: Early recognition of stroke symptoms is critical. The acronym BE FAST helps people remember the key signs:

• Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination.
• Eyes: Sudden vision changes in one or both eyes.
• Face: Facial drooping on one side.
• Arms: Weakness or numbness in one arm.
• Speech: Difficulty speaking or slurred speech.
• Time: Time to call emergency services immediately if any of these symptoms are present.

ANNOUNCING NEW A NEW WORLD-CLASS RAPID ACCESS STROKE PREVENTION CLINIC AT DOCTORS HOSPITAL

Doctors Hospital is proud to bring a comprehensive, world-class approach to preventing stroke. Lead by Dr Ryan Joseph Punambolam MD FRCPC, a Canadian stroke neurologist. Dr Punambolam brings extensive experience caring for patients with stroke. Before joining Doctors Hospital in July, he was the medical director of a large regional stroke center in Canada where he ushered in a nearly 400% improvement in stroke care.

Benefits of a Stroke Prevention Clinic

Stroke prevention clinics play a crucial role in preventing strokes and improving outcomes for individuals at risk. The Doctors Hospital Stroke Prevention Clinic will offer a comprehensive approach to identifying, managing, and mitigating the risk factors associated with stroke.

Here are some of the key benefits of the Doctors Hospital Stroke Prevention Clinic:

Early Identification of Risk Factors

Stroke prevention clinics specialize in identifying risk factors that can lead to strokes. These include:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Atrial fibrillation and other heart conditions
• Lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, and physical inactivity

Through thorough assessments, including medical history reviews, physical exams, and diagnostic tests, the Doctors Hospital Stroke Prevention Clinic will detect these risk factors early and rapidly intervene.

Personalized Risk Reduction Plans

Each patient receives a personalized risk reduction plan tailored to their specific health profile. This plan may include:

• Medication management: Prescribing medications to control blood pressure, cholesterol, or other conditions.
• Lifestyle modification: Providing guidance on diet, exercise, smoking cessation, and alcohol consumption.
• Education: Informing patients about stroke symptoms and what to do in an emergency.

Rapid Access to Advanced Stroke Radiology and Comprehensive Care Coordination

The Doctors Hospital Stroke Prevention Clinic will provide timely access to the most advanced stroke imaging (CT scans, CT angiogram, MRI scan) in Cayman.

Stroke prevention clinics often coordinate care among various healthcare providers, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive and cohesive care. This may involve referrals to specialists such as cardiologists, endocrinologists, dietitians, and physical therapists.

Monitoring and Follow-up

Regular monitoring and follow-up appointments allow for:

• Ongoing assessment of risk factors and adjustment of treatment plans as necessary.
• Early detection of any changes in health status that may increase stroke risk.
• Support and encouragement to help patients adhere to their prevention plans.

Patient Education and Empowerment

Educating patients about stroke risk factors, symptoms, and prevention strategies empowers them to take control of their health. Knowledgeable patients are more likely to make informed decisions and adhere to their treatment plans, which can significantly reduce their risk of stroke.

Support for Lifestyle Changes

Making lifestyle changes can be challenging, but stroke prevention clinics provide support and resources to help patients succeed. This might include:

• Nutritional counselling to help adopt a heart-healthy diet.
• Exercise programs tailored to individual fitness levels and health conditions.
• Smoking cessation programs to help quit smoking.
• Stress management techniques to reduce stress, which can contribute to stroke risk.

Reduction of the Number and Severity of Stroke in Cayman
By effectively managing risk factors and promoting healthy lifestyles, stroke prevention clinics can reduce the incidence of strokes. For individuals who do experience a stroke, early intervention and management of risk factors can lessen the severity of the stroke and improve recovery outcomes.

Cost Savings

Preventing strokes can lead to significant cost savings for both patients and the healthcare system. The cost of stroke treatment and rehabilitation is high, and preventing strokes through early intervention and risk management is far more cost-effective.

Conclusion

The Doctors Hospital Rapid Access Stroke Prevention Clinic offers a world-class approach to reducing stroke risk and improving health outcomes. Through early identification of risk factors, personalized care plans, access to state-of-the-art brain scans, comprehensive care coordination, and ongoing support, the Doctors Hospital Stroke Prevention Clinic is the first of its kind in Cayman and will play a vital role in preventing strokes and enhancing the quality of life for individuals at risk.

Up to 90% of strokes are preventable and by addressing a small number of those risk factors responsible for most strokes, we can show that Cayman is # GreaterTan stroke.