Just about every 3 minutes, someone in the United States dies due to stroke. What’s even more disturbing is that this leading cause of death is often preventable and treatable, and even fully recoverable, if caught and treated early.
The GVI's Comprehensive Stroke Care Center brings patients in Western New York the best chance of recovery
Stroke is a profoundly devastating condition that arises when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked or burst. This disruption in the blood flow leads to brain damage, resulting in severe impairments, disability, and even death.
The top 10 modifiable stroke risk factors in the United States are:
- High blood pressure
- Physical inactivity
- Poor diet (low in fruits, vegetables and fiber, high in salts and fats)
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Alcohol use
- Air pollution
- High blood glucose
- High cholesterol
- Heart disorders
Five major stroke symptoms are:
- One-side weakness or numbness in face, arm or leg
- Speech changes, such as slurring of speech, difficulty finding words, or trouble communicating
- Vision changes: unable to see one side, vision loss or changes in one eye or double vision
- Changes in balance, walking difficulties or dizziness
- Sudden, unusual type of headache
The timing of treatment is critical to the outcome of a stroke; the sooner treatment is administered, the better the potential recovery. In the event of a stroke, it’s essential to call 911 rather than driving yourself or being driven by a family member. Additionally, providing the contact information of a family member to emergency medical services can help prevent any delays in treatment.
The Comprehensive Stroke Care Center at Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute (BGMC/GVI) has a multidisciplinary team of vascular neurologists, endovascular neurosurgeons and dedicated specialized staff to diagnose, treat and manage patients with neurological and endovascular disorders and diseases, and all cerebrovascular conditions. Through its affiliation with University at Buffalo Neurosurgery (UBNS) and UBMD Neurology, teams are often selected to join national clinical trials in developing new methods for treating and preventing strokes.
The stroke team at BGMC/GVI have created a nationally recognized training center in stroke care for medical students and residents in neurology, neurosurgery, emergency medicine and internal medicine; and fellows in vascular neurology and endovascular neurosurgery.
In fact, BGMC/GVI treats more strokes than any other hospital in New York state, and more than double of any other hospital in Western New York. BGMC/GVI delivers stroke care that brings patients the best chance of recovery, from a designated emergency pod for stroke to a dedicated team of neurologists and neuroendovascular surgeons offering full treatment options utilizing the latest technology.
The Comprehensive Stroke Center received a Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines Stroke Quality Achievement Award in 2023. The Get With The Guidelines program puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping to ensure that patient care is aligned with the latest evidence- and research-based guidelines.