By DAVID CRUZ

The telltale signs of a stroke are subtle and often painless, with victims at times completely unaware they’ve experienced one. But Montefiore Medical Center’s Stern Stroke Center, as part of May’s Stroke Awareness Month, is increasing efforts that will encourage Bronxites to understand the causes of stroke and ways to prevent it.

Dr. Deepa Bhupali is part of a team of doctors, neurosurgeons and radiologists at the Stern Stroke Center, one of the medical arms to Montefiore’s highly respected neurology department. Stroke awareness is part of a yearlong outreach effort by the center’s team. One of those is Stroke Heroes, a class where the center invites third graders from Bronx schools to learn about stroke. The hope there is for children to teach one’s relatives about the causes of stroke.

But this time, Bhupali will be joining some of her colleagues for some month-long outreach events that will shed light on risk factors behind stroke, how to avoid it, and what to do should one experience it.

Events
The team will fan out to several senior centers, MMC’s cafeteria, a health fair on May 16 and even cyberspace, for outreach on the condition. Bhupali, along with Drs. Kathryn Kirchoff and Allan Brook, will hold separate Twitter chats alongside the American Stroke Association (ASA) on May 14, 21 and 28. The talks, educating participants on the signs of stroke, all happen at 3 p.m.

They will explain the causes behind a stroke, known colloquially as a “brain attack”—blockages in oxygen-carrying blood vessels that are connected to the brain. The organ’s nerve cells heavily rely on oxygen to maintain normal brain activity. And since blood carries oxygen, it’s critical for patients to ensure passages are clear.

The impact of stroke largely depends on which blood vessel is affected, a reason why the prognosis ranges from mumbled speech to impaired movement. New York State health figures show blacks and Hispanics are more prone to stroke.

The trio of doctors will also cover risk factors linked to stroke, primarily smoking, high cholesterol, and fatty foods. Anyone interested can follow ASA’s handle, @American_Stroke, from where the experts will be tweeting. Folks can also follow @MontefioreNYC.

Think F.A.S.T.
Above the main points Bhupali hopes to get across this month is the value of responding to the signs of stroke immediately. It’s a reason she and other stroke doctors encourage Bronxites to understand F.A.S.T., an acronym that helps highlight the signs of stroke and how to respond.

The term, describing a self-prescribed screening measure, indicates several stroke symptoms—facial droopiness (F), arm weakness or numbness (A), speech problems (S), and time, which translates to a faster recovery time (T). Bhupali considers the last factor key to determining stroke.

“…[T]ime is the critical factor in how a stroke is managed and kind of your prognosis after that,” said Bhupali. “So we say if there’s something wrong with your face, or one of your arms, your legs are weak, or you’re having some problem with your language, act on it. Call 911 and come in immediately.”

Doctors regularly delve into the condition further through a CAT scan or more importantly an MRI, a color scan that pinpoints the origin of a stroke should one occur.

“I think like it’s important to know if you come and you’re having a stroke, all we’re going to do is some blood work and a CAT scan and we’re going to meet you and get to be a part of your life,” said Bhupali. “And if you come and you’re not having a stroke, it’s really good. And if all that’s passed is time, then it’s worth it if it’s your health.”