Time Is Brain

Swift Stroke Care at St. Vincent Regional Hospital Saves Lives 

Intermountain Health

Once a stroke begins, every minute counts—literally.

Studies consistently show up to 2 million brain cells die every minute during a stroke, which increases the risk of permanent brain damage, disability, or death.

The effects of a stroke depend on several factors including which part of the brain is affected and how quickly the stroke is treated—which is why you’ll often hear healthcare professionals use the phrase, “Time is Brain.”

Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital is certified as an Advanced Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center for stroke care with a team of specialists who can help shorten the amount of time it takes to diagnose and treat a stroke. Thrombectomy is an innovative treatment for ischemic strokes, when a stroke specialist guided by imaging technology uses a catheter device to remove a clot that is blocking blood flow to the brain. Until recently, this advanced stroke care was primarily offered in large medical centers in urban areas.

“St. Vincent Regional Hospital continues to be on the front line of comprehensive diagnostic stroke care and capabilities in Montana,” said Dr. Jeff Hakim, neurosurgeon at St. Vincent.

St. Vincent consistently meets and exceeds “door-to-needle” times for stroke thrombolytic therapy, also known as clot busting medication, which restores blood flow and reduces damage to vital organs like the brain and heart. The treatment itself must be administered within 4½ hours of stroke onset, to give a patient the highest odds of achieving a good outcome.

Most strokes are caused by treatable risk factors and are therefore preventable.

Quick medical treatment during a stroke is one of the most important factors in determining a good outcome. If a stroke does occur, there are treatments available to prevent long term brain injury, but they are very time sensitive.

A simple way to remember the signs of stroke is: BE FAST

Balance: Sudden difficulty with balance or coordination

Eyes: Sudden blurred or double vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes without pain

Face: Drooping or numbness on one side of the face.

Arm Weakness: Sudden weakness or numbness in one arm.

Speech: Sudden difficulty, slurring, or inability to speak.

Time: know when the last time you or your loved one had normal symptoms. Call 911. The right treatment depends on what kind of stroke you are having. You need to get to the hospital very quickly to figure this out.

Dr. Thomas Desmarais, Vascular Surgeon

Several risk factors contribute to the likelihood of experiencing a stroke. Some of these factors, such as age, gender, and family history, cannot be changed. However, many others are modifiable through lifestyle changes and medical interventions.

“Common risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet,” said Dr. Thomas Desmarais, MD, vascular surgeon at St. Vincent. “By identifying and addressing your risk factors, you can significantly reduce your stroke risk.”

Take a quiz to find out if you’re at a higher risk for stroke by clicking:  connect.intermountainhealth.org/stroke-month 

More from the Experts at St. Vincent Regional Hospital

About St. Vincent Regional Hospital

Founded on our mission of compassionate care 125 years ago, St. Vincent Regional Hospital, part of Intermountain Health, has grown into one of Montana’s largest comprehensive hospitals, serving the healthcare needs of over 400,000 people in our four-state area. Continuing to respond to the needs of our community, we have been recognized as an innovator in trauma, heart, neurological and cancer care. At St. Vincent and Intermountain Health, our 12 primary care clinics, and specialty clinics in and around the Billings area, our goal is to help you live the healthiest lives possible. This also includes caring for the region's youngest patients. We opened the region's first Pediatric Intensive Care Unit staffed 24/7 by Pediatric Intensivists and the only Pediatric Surgery program serving eastern Montana, northern Wyoming, and the western Dakotas.