SMMC addresses the question: Is Fear of COVID19 Keeping Stroke Patients from Seeking Care?

As the nation battles a pandemic, the focus on health has narrowed in on preventative measures for Covid-19, but the other life altering conditions still exist. Scenic Mountain Medical Center is offering a reminder, as the holidays approach, to help family and friends raise awareness for an often overlooked health impact – Stroke.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of serious disability for adults. Due to the widespread threat of the coronavirus COVID-19, many patients who need life-saving care may not be seeking the help they need when every minute counts.

“Whether a stroke is minor or severe, the most important part of the treatment process is to seek help as soon as possible. The more quickly you seek help, the better chance there is of reducing long-term damage,” Dr. Rohith Saravanan, Chief Medical Officer at

Scenic Mountain Medical Center, said. “Contrary to popular belief, a person of any age can suffer from a stroke. This includes teenagers, children, and even infants. In fact, stroke is the sixth leading cause of death for children, although as children get older, their odds of suffering from a stroke decrease (the greatest chance of having a stroke is during a baby’s first year). Considering that people of all ages can have a stroke, it’s all the more important to know and recognize the warning signs.”

Stroke is an injury to the brain that occurs when the brain’s blood supply is interrupted. Blood carries oxygen which is necessary for all cells in the body to survive. The brain has one of the highest demands for oxygen. In fact, cells in the brain start to die if they are without oxygenrich blood for more than a few minutes. The death of these brain cells can result in permanent brain damage.

Other terms for stroke include cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or brain attack.

“Suffering from a stroke is a scary situation. Stroke patients have many aspects of their lives turned upsidedown. Though it can feel overwhelming at times, it’s important to know that if you or a loved one have suffered from a stroke, you’re not alone. One of the first steps toward successful recovery