Awareness Saves Life: A Costa Rican Man’s Narrow Escape from a Stroke
Don Orlando Pacheco Pizarro survived a cerebrovascular accident thanks to his knowledge of symptoms and prompt action.
Don Orlando Pacheco Pizarro, a 67-year-old resident of Heredia, Costa Rica, experienced a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) in April that could have been fatal.
His ability to recognize the warning signs and seek immediate medical attention played a crucial role in his survival.
Pacheco, a father of three, recalled that on a seemingly ordinary day, he felt unwell while riding a bus home.
After running to catch the bus, he began to experience severe symptoms, including sudden headache, cold sweating, and loss of motor function on his right side.
Unable to speak, he managed to convey via text to his family that he was suffering an episode of cerebrovascular accident.
He was promptly taken to the Santo Domingo Clinic in Heredia, where medical staff quickly recognized the seriousness of his condition.
A preliminary assessment indicated that he needed urgent care, and he was transported by ambulance to the Hospital Mexico where neurological specialists were awaiting his arrival.
Upon arrival, he was met by Dr. Oscar Esteban Buitrago Carazo, who determined that Pacheco was within the critical time frame to administer a treatment known as thromblysis, designed to dissolve blood clots and restore normal blood flow to the brain.
Pacheco spent nine days in the hospital, including five in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where he received extensive treatment and monitoring.
Dr. Buitrago emphasized the importance of timely intervention in cases of stroke, noting that Pacheco's awareness of his symptoms directly contributed to his positive outcome.
He outlined a mnemonic device, termed the 'chameleon strategy,' to help others recognize stroke symptoms, which can be varied and unstable.
According to Dr. Buitrago, key indicators include facial drooping, weakness in an arm or leg, abrupt speech difficulties, sudden confusion, and intense headaches.
Experts in emergency medicine stress that immediate action is critical when stroke symptoms manifest, advising patients or bystanders to call emergency services without delay.
The mantra 'time is brain' highlights the urgency of prompt medical assessment and intervention, which can be crucial in preventing long-term disability or death following a cerebrovascular event.
Pacheco's case illustrates not only the life-saving impact of awareness and knowledge but also underscores the need for public education on recognizing and responding to strokes effectively.
As healthcare professionals advocate for improved recognition of these symptoms, community awareness may significantly enhance survival rates in similar medical emergencies.
His ability to recognize the warning signs and seek immediate medical attention played a crucial role in his survival.
Pacheco, a father of three, recalled that on a seemingly ordinary day, he felt unwell while riding a bus home.
After running to catch the bus, he began to experience severe symptoms, including sudden headache, cold sweating, and loss of motor function on his right side.
Unable to speak, he managed to convey via text to his family that he was suffering an episode of cerebrovascular accident.
He was promptly taken to the Santo Domingo Clinic in Heredia, where medical staff quickly recognized the seriousness of his condition.
A preliminary assessment indicated that he needed urgent care, and he was transported by ambulance to the Hospital Mexico where neurological specialists were awaiting his arrival.
Upon arrival, he was met by Dr. Oscar Esteban Buitrago Carazo, who determined that Pacheco was within the critical time frame to administer a treatment known as thromblysis, designed to dissolve blood clots and restore normal blood flow to the brain.
Pacheco spent nine days in the hospital, including five in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where he received extensive treatment and monitoring.
Dr. Buitrago emphasized the importance of timely intervention in cases of stroke, noting that Pacheco's awareness of his symptoms directly contributed to his positive outcome.
He outlined a mnemonic device, termed the 'chameleon strategy,' to help others recognize stroke symptoms, which can be varied and unstable.
According to Dr. Buitrago, key indicators include facial drooping, weakness in an arm or leg, abrupt speech difficulties, sudden confusion, and intense headaches.
Experts in emergency medicine stress that immediate action is critical when stroke symptoms manifest, advising patients or bystanders to call emergency services without delay.
The mantra 'time is brain' highlights the urgency of prompt medical assessment and intervention, which can be crucial in preventing long-term disability or death following a cerebrovascular event.
Pacheco's case illustrates not only the life-saving impact of awareness and knowledge but also underscores the need for public education on recognizing and responding to strokes effectively.
As healthcare professionals advocate for improved recognition of these symptoms, community awareness may significantly enhance survival rates in similar medical emergencies.
