Stroke education campaign reaches final phase

State officials are kicking off the final phase of a stroke education effort in Flathead County this month as an effort to tie people to care quickly in emergency situations.

Headed by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, the campaign began last fall as an effort to educate people on what a stroke looks like and the importance of finding help immediately.

For the rest of this month and through December, the health department is conducting a telephone survey with residents of Flathead County who are 45 years old and older.

Crystelle Fogle, a program manager with the Montana Cardiovascular Health Program, said the campaign was spurred by people who were waiting too long to seek medical help after having a stroke.

“What we’re really looking for is signs to see if our recent efforts have increased an awareness of the signs and symptoms of a stroke, and people’s willingness to ask for help,” Fogle said.

The Montana Cardiovascular Health Program conducts statewide reports to prevent heart disease and stroke.

She said for this final phase, the caller will identify themselves as representing the state health department and the survey will take about 10 minutes.

She said the campaign is important because the signs of a stroke — such as sudden numbness, confusion or trouble speaking — can be subtle. She added that if someone waits too long to go to the hospital, their situation can shift from needing medical treatment to having to learn how to live with a stroke-caused disability.

A patient typically has less than four hours to receive medication that can potentially decrease the lasting deficits caused by strokes.

The Montana Cardiovascular Health Program in recent months has also paired with local hospitals and clinics to distribute stroke brochures and posters, as well as promoted a combination of paid print, TV, radio and billboard ads describing signs of stroke.

“What we’re hoping to see is the information was absorbed,” Fogle said — meaning people will get help faster.

Richard Opper, the director of the Department of Public Health and Human Services, said all information collected in the survey is confidential and anonymous.

Those surveyed are randomly selected. For people with caller ID, the call will show up coming from one of the following numbers: 406-227-7213, 406-235-0929, or 406-431-4850.

To learn more about the Montana Cardiovascular Health Program, go to dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/Cardiovascular.aspx.

Signs of Stroke

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

— Centers of Disease Control, www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs_symptoms.htm