Mike Green
MOORHEAD, M.N. (Essentia Health) – An avid hunter and longtime Moorhead resident, Michael “Mike” Green decided not to participate in the deer hunting season opener last November (2022) – the first time in 36 years.
“It wasn’t so much a physical feeling as an emotional one,” explained Green, who had just turned 60 that October. “Physically, I felt good, but something told me not to go.” Three weeks later, Green suffered a stroke.
During a stroke, blood flow to the brain is cut off. When this happens, brain cells begin to die, and functions controlled by the affected area of the brain are impacted. Every second that a stroke goes untreated, about 30,000 brain cells die.
Green credits the quick thinking of his brother-in-law and wife, who recognized that something wasn’t right and called 911. First responders arrived quickly and rushed him via ambulance to Essentia Health-Fargo, a Comprehensive Stroke Center, rated high-performing in stroke care by U.S. News and World Report.
Green immediately underwent a computerized tomography (CT) scan and a CT-angiogram to guide his surgery, an emergent cerebral thrombectomy. The procedure involves inserting a catheter into the groin or arm artery and navigating with expert precision to the brain to remove potentially deadly blood clots.
In Green’s case, the clot was located within the left side of his brain, which controls the right side of the body.
“I remember one neurologist saying that if I hadn’t got there when I did, I probably wouldn’t be able to walk and talk again,” admits Green.
Since his surgery, Green has had several follow-ups with his care team, remains active and has since opted for a healthier diet.
His advice to others is to know the signs of a stroke and to never give up.
Know the signs
In recognition of National Stroke Awareness Month, Essentia Health urges people to refresh their knowledge about stroke signs and symptoms because the faster a stroke is treated, the better the chances are of preventing permanent damage or death. When it comes to stroke, time is brain.
Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability and the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Stroke Association (ASA). To improve outcomes, there is an easy acronym to remember – BEFAST, which stands for:
Balance: Does the person have sudden loss of balance?
Eyes: Has the person lost vision in one or both eyes?
Face: Smile. Does side of the face droop?
Arms: Raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech: Repeat a simple phrase. Is speech slurred or strange?
Time: If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 911 right away.
According to the ASA, 80% of strokes are preventable. Here are some lifestyle changes that can help reduce the risk of stroke:
Lose weight.
Eat healthy.
Quit smoking.
Drink less alcohol.
Reduce stress.
Take some time to talk to your health care provider about your risk for stroke and make a plan to start reducing that risk.