GRMC Celebrates Stroke Day
10/31/2019
Receives Recognition for New Stroke Achievement
GADSDEN, AL, October 29, 2019—On Tuesday, October 29, Gadsden Regional Medical Center and their stroke team celebrated World Stroke Day.
In addition to blood pressure readings and educational materials for hospital staff and visitors, The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association also recognized by the team with a pinning ceremony for a recent accomplishment through the Get with the Guidelines®-Stroke healthcare quality program.
Gadsden Regional Medical Center is a Gold Plus award winner in stroke care. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, believes everyone who has heart disease or a stroke should receive treatment at a hospital with the resources to correctly and consistently make time-critical decisions. This recognition demonstrates Gadsden Regional’s high commitment to following the guidelines and improving patient outcomes.
Get With The Guidelines–Stroke was developed by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association to help healthcare professionals align stroke care with the most up-to-date scientific treatment guidelines. Stroke treatment guidelines include aggressive therapies and medications that can help improve patient care and outcomes. Hospitals must follow these measures at a set level for a designated period to be eligible for achievement awards.
Gadsden Regional was also included on the Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll for ensuring that at least 50 percent of eligible stroke patients get treatment to restore blood flow to the brain within 60 minutes of arriving at the hospital — timing considered critical to limiting stroke damage.
"We know how valuable guideline-driven care is to our stroke patients," said stroke team member Tapan Abrol, M.D., a neurologist and member of the medical staff at Gadsden Regional. "Everyone at our hospital is proud to be recognized for our efforts and appreciative of the support and tools provided through Get With The Guidelines."
According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the United States and one in four people worldwide will experience a stroke in their lifetime. However, as many as 80% of strokes are preventable. Here are some great ways to help reduce your risk of stroke.
- Keep blood pressure in mind and under control. Get your blood pressure into a healthy range (under 130/80). High blood pressure is the no. 1 controllable risk factor for stroke. Work with your doctor to manage it.
- Eat colorful fruits and veggies. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables has been shown to lower blood pressure over time, which can help reduce your stroke risk. Some fruits and vegetables are especially rich in vitamins and minerals that improve brain function and heart health - try mangoes, avocados and blueberries.
- Rest up. Getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night can improve brain function both today and long-term. Make it happen with a soothing bedtime routine and avoid screen time before bed. Sleep-related breathing issues may increase stroke risk, so seek treatment right away if you suspect sleep apnea or a similar problem.
- Meditate. Emerging science shows that practicing mindfulness and being aware of your breathing may significantly reduce blood pressure and may improve blood flow to the brain. A quick way to be mindful anytime is to pause, notice your breath and take in little details in your surroundings.
- Take a walk. Getting active activates brain cells, encouraging them to grow and connect more efficiently. For clear health benefits, adults should get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (or a combination of those activities). In addition, two days per week of moderate- to- high intensity muscle strengthening activity is recommended.
Recognizing stroke symptoms can also help save a life. Think F.A.S.T. and take action if you see any of these stroke symptoms:
F: Face Drooping
A: Arm Weakness
S: Speech is Slurred
T: Time to Call 9-1-1.
Pinning: Heidi Darbo of the American Heart Association presents pins to the GRMC stroke team to recognize their Get with the Guidelines- Stroke Gold Plus award. Staff include David Ellis, Ashlie Barnes, Penny Carr, Martha Seahorn, Jessica Pitcock and Robert Collyer.
World Stroke Day: Jessica Pitcock, a member of the GRMC stroke team educates hospital staff and visitors on World Stroke Day. Pitcock performs a blood pressure reading for Wayne Cornutt.
About Get With The Guidelines
Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that empowers healthcare teams to save lives and reduce healthcare costs by helping hospitals follow evidence-based guidelines and recommendations. For more information, visit heart.org/quality and find a recognized hospital near you.
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