Tomball resident Keith Werner says he’s lucky to be alive after a severe headache led to a stroke diagnosis.
“I noticed I had trouble reading the odometer when I got in my car after exercising at the gym. After that, I experienced a severe headache that prompted my visit to a neurologist who recommended I get a CT scan,” says Werner.
Werner’s neurologist recommended he have the CT scan performed at Memorial Hermann Convenient Care Center in Cypress. According to physicians at the Convenient Care Center, the scan showed an intracerebral hemorrhage, which is a less common type of stroke caused by bleeding in the brain. Based on the findings, Werner was immediately transferred to Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center where he was cared for by John Ownby, M.D., the Medical Director of the Stroke Program at Memorial Hermann Memorial City.
“Our Convenient Care Centers are an important part of the Memorial Hermann system that spans greater Houston, and allows us to urgently diagnose and intervene for our patients. An intracerebral hemorrhage is a life threatening situation that needs immediate care. Getting Mr. Werner to a primary stroke center, like the one at Memorial Hermann Memorial City, allowed us to provide the medication needed to treat the ruptured vessel,” says Dr. Ownby.
The American Heart Association cites stroke as one of the leading causes of death and serious, long-term disability in the United States.
“Just remember ‘FAST’ - Face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, it’s time to call 9-1-1,” says Marco Garza, M.D., a board-certified emergency medicine physician and Medical Director of the Emergency Department at Memorial Hermann Convenient Care Center in Cypress.
It’s also important that loved ones say something if they notice anything that appears unusual.
“Because stroke injures the brain, a person may not realize they’re having one. So if you recognize someone experiencing things like sudden numbness, confusion, or trouble seeing or walking, it may be up to you to call 9-1-1,” added Dr. Garza.
Werner says he’s doing much better now after the care he received from Memorial Hermann. He’s happy to be back with his wife, walking their dog, and he just wants others to learn from his story.
“I should’ve gone in sooner. It wasn’t until I got the severe headaches that I really thought something was wrong. Go see a doctor as soon as you notice something’s wrong,” he advises.
For specific information about stroke care and stroke support groups at Memorial Hermann facilities, please contact Donald Garrett, Stroke Coordinator for Memorial Hermann Memorial City, at 713-242-2905.