In 2019, actor Luke Perry died at age 52 from an ischemic stroke caused by a blocked blood vessel to the brain — a stark reminder that stroke can affect adults well before what many consider “old age.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in seven people (14 percent) hospitalized for ischemic stroke annually are younger adults age 45-64.

The CDC reports that stroke risk increases starting at age 55 and nearly doubles with each decade thereafter.

Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute, part of Jefferson Health, provides expert stroke diagnosis, treatment and prevention services.

Many of our hospitals are certified by The Joint Commission as either a comprehensive stroke center, primary stroke center or an acute stroke ready hospital.

Facilities throughout the region use our stroke telehealth services for immediate video consultation with a specialist.

Time is brain

Success of stroke care depends largely on one factor: time.

“People need to recognize symptoms of stroke and call 911,” says neurologist and neurocritical care specialist Christopher Melinosky, MD. “When you call an ambulance, it triggers an alert, and a stroke team is waiting when you arrive.”

Use BE FAST to remember stroke symptoms:

B – Balance: Is balance or coordination suddenly impaired?

E – Eyes: Is vision suddenly blurred or double?

F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A – Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S – Speech: Is speech slurred or strange?

T – Time: See symptoms? Call 911 right away.

“If you think you’re having a stroke, don’t take an aspirin, which is for heart attack symptoms,” Dr. Melinosky says. “If you are having a hemorrhagic stroke, aspirin may worsen bleeding in the brain. It’s best to call 911 immediately.”

Types of stroke

• Ischemic stroke occurs when a vessel carrying blood to the brain is blocked by a clot, causing an interruption in blood flow. Ischemic stroke accounts for about 85 percent of all strokes.

The first-line treatment for ischemic stroke is an injection of clot-busting medication, which should be given within the first few hours of symptoms.

• Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding into or around the brain; it accounts for about 15 percent of strokes but about 40 percent of stroke deaths.

This type of stroke may be treated with medications that control further bleeding, control high blood pressure and reduce brain swelling. Surgery can seal off or repair bleeding vessels in some cases.

• Transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurs when blood flow to the brain stops for a short time, causing stroke-like symptoms. TIA, sometimes called a “mini-stroke,” is a warning that you are in danger of having a major stroke.

Reducing stroke risk for people with AFib

In 2016, an LVHN patient was first in the region to receive a device that reduces risk for stroke in patients with difficult-to-treat atrial fibrillation (AFib) who are unable to take blood thinners.

Blood thinners can help reduce the risk for stroke, but some people are unable to take them.

In those instances, devices like this are an excellent alternative treatment.

Know your risk

Visit LVHN.org/Stroke to learn more.