By Kathleen Berger, Executive Producer for Science and Technology

Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke. A stroke occurs when a clot blocks a blood vessel to the brain or a blood vessel bursts, preventing oxygen from reaching the brain. It is the fifth-leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S.

The American Heart Association is recognizing Mercy for its commitment to high-quality stroke care with its Get With the Guidelines – Stroke awards for all five Mercy hospitals in the St. Louis region. Lana Wilhelm said she is witness to the life-saving stroke care at Mercy Hospital St. Louis after her husband suffered a stroke.

“They had him in a CT scan within 20 minutes,” said Lana. “Within 20 minutes he was already being treated.”

With a stroke, every minute matters. The sooner a medical team can intervene, the more quickly the patient receives a drug or device, limiting damage, reducing disability and ensuring a better outcome. Many times, recovery and quality of life after a stroke can be very challenging.

“There’s a ton of support for stroke patients themselves, which is wonderful, but the caregivers have nothing,” said Lana.

As a registered nurse with a background in neuroscience, Lana realized that if she felt lost in the process, many other caregivers must feel overwhelmed too.

“After my husband stabilized and came home and everything, I started writing this book, Stroke and the Spouse,” Lana explained. “And then I met with the stroke coordinators here at Mercy Hospital St. Louis.”

Lana’s book is intended to help caregivers navigate their new role from the hospital bedside to life at home. Lana also became a volunteer for the Stroke Peer Mentor Program at Mercy Hospital St. Louis. Lana meets with stroke patients and their loved ones every week during her routine visits.

Lana’s book, Stroke and the Spouse, is sold at the gift shop at Mercy Hospital St. Louis.