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Published October 01, 2008 07:12 pm - According to the American Heart Association, having a stroke is the third-largest cause of death in the United States, behind heart disease and all forms of cancer. Many of the people who are at risk or will suffer a stroke are not aware that they are in danger until it is too late. Screenings reduce risk of stroke: Simple test a must-have for at-risk patients By Dustin Shipman
dshipman@joplinglobe.com A stroke can strike without warning. People who suffer a stroke often do not realize they were at risk — but finding a potential problem is a relatively simple procedure that can save a life. According to the American Heart Association, having a stroke is the third-largest cause of death in the United States, behind heart disease and all forms of cancer. Many of the people who are at risk or will suffer a stroke are not aware that they are in danger until it is too late. Renata Robertson, an ultrasound technician with Stroke Detection Plus, said the key to dealing with a stroke is to take preventive measures and have regular checkups and screenings. “Testing is relatively simple,” Robertson said. “We use ultrasound to check for any hardening, narrowing or blockages.” Robertson said such blockages are like plaque on teeth that builds up in arteries, causing a hardening. She said that a stroke occurs when that blockage becomes dislodged and cuts the blood flow to the brain, which can cause a number of problems. Conditions that can put a person at risk for a stroke include being more than 40, being more than 40 pounds overweight, having an inactive lifestyle, having high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, having a family history of strokes or a history of minor strokes in the past. Robertson said that having one or more of these conditions makes someone a good candidate for having a detection test. “Once a problem is found, it can be treated, usually by making a incision in the artery, going in there and unplugging some of that plaque,” Robertson said. “It can be a dangerous procedure, so it is very important to do some research on your surgeon and make sure they have a great track record.” Robertson said regular screening to find problems early can have a great deal to do with the success of treatment. There are very few symptoms until someone has a stroke, she said — at which point victims can experience dizziness, confusion, memory loss and blurred vision. “No one is not at risk for a stroke, and they should have testing done, especially after the age of 40,” Robertson said. “We usually say if there is no history of strokes in your family and during your last screening there was no buildup found, then you should still have a screening done every five years. The buildup is a rather slow process, but if you have a history of buildup, it is a good idea to have a test once a year.” Today, Stroke Detection Plus will be holding a stroke detection screening program from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Farm Bureau Insurance, 809 S. Neosho Blvd., in Neosho. It will be the last of three local screenings; the first of these screenings took place on Monday at the American Red Cross Greater Ozark Chapter. Tina Van Buren, health and safety manager for Joplin’s Red Cross office, said this was the first year the screening was held and, because of a good turnout, they are hoping to hold more in the future. 
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