Stroke response delays putting lives at risk, say doctors

Doctors are warning that every minute counts – at least no more than 180 – for people experiencing a stroke, as new figures reveal persistently high incidence rates and a lack of urgent action is putting lives in jeopardy.

Consultant neurologist Dr Simeona Jacinto revealed during the season three finale of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Pulse radio show on Monday that Barbados records approximately 1.4 strokes per 1 000 people, with 70 per cent of cases linked to high blood pressure and one in three patients also diabetic.

She stressed that stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability in the Caribbean and the second deadliest condition globally.

“The earlier you come for management, the more likely we can limit brain damage,” Dr Jacinto said, urging the public to remember the FAST acronym – face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, time to call 511.

“The best stroke treatment is prevention – but if a stroke happens, act fast and call for help immediately.”

Consultant Emergency Physician Dr Anne-Marie Cruickshank. (FP)

Further underscoring the severity of the condition, consultant emergency physician Dr Anne-Marie Cruickshank, who heads the QEH Accident and Emergency Department, warned that doctors have just a three to four-hour window to administer life-saving treatment.

“Once symptoms begin, every second counts. The ambulance is your best option – they alert us ahead so we can be ready the moment you arrive,” she said.

The doctors also dispelled dangerous myths still common in the community, including the belief that strokes cannot be treated or should be managed at home with old remedies like nutmeg or Bible readings.

“We’ve moved past that,” Dr Cruickshank said. “We now have treatments like thrombolysis that can prevent further brain damage and even reverse some of the deficits.”

She also encouraged the public to enrol in emergency response training offered by the Heart and Stroke Foundation, including Heart Saver and Basic Life Support (BLS) courses.

“We need more people trained and more instructors. Public involvement is crucial,” she said. 

(SM)