PBMC Stroke Program
Recognizes National Stroke Awareness Month

The facts are more than daunting: Stroke is the third leading cause of death in this country–trailing only heart attack and cancer. More than 700,000 Americans will suffer a stroke this year and as many as 150,000 will die as a result. (American Stroke Association, 2008.)

Penobscot Bay Medical Center has responded to these grim statistics by becoming only the second Joint Commission certified Primary Stroke Center in the state – sharing that distinction with Maine Medical Center in Portland.

This certification ensures that the care given to stroke patients at PBMC meets the highest national standards in diagnosis and treatment of acute stroke. These standards are enforced at every level … from the Emergency Medical Service through the hospital stay and to rehabilitation services such as physical, occupational and speech therapies.

May is National Stroke Awareness Month. The PBMC Stroke Program will be sponsoring informational forums throughout the month to educate the local public on stroke warning signs, risk factors, treatments and actions to take if one is experiencing or witnessing someone having a stroke.

The PBMC Stroke Program will sponsor two local presentations during May. Dr. Judd Jensen of Penobscot Bay Neurology will present "Dispelling the Myths: Prevention and Treatment of Stroke in the 21st Century" on Tuesday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m. at the Camden Public Library, and Friday, May 30, at 4:30 p.m. at the Knox Center in Rockland. Admission is free.

"Public education is a large part of our mission statement," said Eileen Hawkins, PBMC Stroke Program coordinator. "We want to see a local community that is well informed of stroke risk factors and warning signs. It is important for people to understand that stroke is a medical emergency and they should call 9-1-1 if they are experiencing or witnessing someone with stroke warning signs."


Stroke Risk factors
Being overweight or obese
Smoking
Not being physically active
Diabetes
High cholesterol
Carotid artery disease
Atrial fibrillation
High blood pressure (140/90 or higher)

Warning Signs of Stroke
Sudden onset of:
Numbness in the face, arm or leg
Slurred speech
Blurred vision
Dizziness or loss of balance
Severe headache

Hawkins continued: "There are immediate treatments for the most common type of stroke, but only if a person arrives at the Emergency Department within hours of warning sign onset. The 'clot-buster' drug that is used to break up a blood clot and restore blood flow to the area of the brain involved in the stroke must be administered within three hours of stroke warning sign onset. That means that a person must arrive at the Emergency Department within approximately two hours of symptom onset in order for the appropriate evaluation and testing to occur."

"Increased public awareness of stroke will help us provide the most prompt and effective care to our patients with stroke," said Hawkins. 

Penobscot Bay Medical Center is a member of the Pen Bay Healthcare family of services, which includes Kno-Wal-Lin Home Care and Hospice, Quarry Hill Retirement Community, the Knox Center for Long Term Care and the Mid-Coast Mental Health Center. Through these organizations, and a staff of more than 100 outstanding physicians and more than 1,700 healthcare professionals, we are able to provide members of our community with a continuum of care from birth throughout their lives. For more information, please visit www.penbayhealthcare.org.

Additional information about stroke is available at pbmc.org/stroke