New guide helps cryptogenic stroke patients to avoid frustration, anxiety.
Every year, about 800,000 people have a stroke, of those about 200,000 are considered “cryptogenic” meaning the cause is undetermined.
About one in four strokes in the U.S. are “cryptogenic” meaning the cause is undetermined. Statistics show cryptogenic stroke patients have reason to be concerned: A prior stroke is the number one risk factor for a second stroke.
According to a new survey by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association more than 50 percent of stroke patients and family caregivers report feeling anxious and frustrated when the cause of stroke is not detected. The survey also reveals that only one in five patients receive information about their cryptogenic stroke at the time of diagnosis and seventy-percent receive it verbally, which makes it hard to remember.
To help ease patient frustration and anxiety, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, with the support of Medtronic, released the first patient guide as part of the Cryptogenic Stroke Initiative that includes information all in one place.
American Stroke Association’s Dr. Mary Ann Bauman discusses cryptogenic stroke and the new patient guide.
About Mary Ann Bauman
Mary Ann Bauman, MD received her medical degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan in 1978. For nine years, she served in a variety of teaching, practice, and administrative positions on medical school faculties including Wayne State University, the University of South Dakota, and the University of Oklahoma. In 1991, she joined Baptist Medical Center, which later became INTEGRIS Health Inc. as Medical Director of the Women’s Center and is now the Medical Director for Women’s Health and Community Relations. Dr. Bauman is active in the American Heart Association at the local, regional, and national levels. She has served two terms as president of the Oklahoma City division, was president of the six-state SouthWest Affiliate from 2010-2012, a member of a number of national AHA committees and a national spokesperson for Go Red for Women. In June 2012 Dr. Bauman was named the American Heart Association Physician of the Year; the first time this honor has been awarded to a physician not specializing in cardiology or neurology, She is board certified in Internal Medicine and maintains an active primary care practice.”
This interview is provided by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and Medtronic
