More than 795,000 Americans suffer a stroke each year. It is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States and the fifth leading cause of death.
When you're experiencing a stroke, every moment counts.
"Time is so important with a stroke," Beaufort Memorial Stroke Coordinator Andrea Zeman says. "The faster you get diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome."
Usually caused by a blood clot in the brain, a stroke can cause lasting damage in just a few seconds.
Beaufort Memorial holds an Advanced Certification as a Primary Stroke Center and earned national recognition for our ability to save more lives and improve long-term outcomes for all patients from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
In addition to Beaufort Memorial's dedicated stroke team, the telemedicine program and affiliation with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC Health) means we can provide fast evaluation and treatment of stroke victims. Our telestroke program gives our Emergency Room and ICU doctors immediate, round-the-clock access to stroke care experts at MUSC for urgent consultations by allowing physicians in Charleston to virtually examine patients and review their brain-imaging studies.
None of this was news to stroke survivor Sherline Holmes.
She didn't think much of it when she developed a headache while driving with her husband. Then her vision became blurry and her hands turned numb. That is when she realized something was definitely wrong.
“I was so afraid I would have permanent damage,” says Sherline. “I know so many people who have had strokes that didn’t recover completely.”
"My husband turned the car around and we went straight to the hospital," Sherline recalls. "They told me I was really lucky I had gotten there so quickly."
As soon as Sherline arrived at the Beaufort Memorial Emergency Department, she was hooked up to a telemedicine cart that allows Beaufort physicians to consult with neurologists at MUSC Health in Charleston. After evaluating her condition, a MUSC Health physician confirmed Sherline was indeed experiencing a stroke. She was immediately given clot-busting medication, and blood flow to her brain was restored.
By the time Sherline was discharged from Beaufort Memorial five days later, she had virtually no remaining affects from the stroke.
Since then, Sherline focuses on staying healthy with the help of blood-pressure-lowering drugs and exercise, so she can continue to spend quality time with her granddaughter.
To assess your risk of stroke, consider our complete vascular screening package or find a board-certified neurologist anytime online.