Meet the Experts

Rosemarie Schwitzer

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner with West Kendall Baptist Hospital

Videos

Stroke and Mini Stroke

Rosemarie Schwitzer, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner with West Kendall Baptist Hospital, explains a mini stroke or transient ischemic attack is when a cholesterol plaque or a blood clot is causing symptoms. She says the symptoms last less than 24 hours, and when you have an MRI performed, it does not show anything. It is a precursor, it tells the patient they have to be careful and do something now.

Stroke Education Program

Rosemarie Schwitzer, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner with West Kendall Baptist Hospital, explains she finds in the hospital a good opportunity not only to reach the patients, but also the community. She says they have an annual stroke fair to take the opportunity to provide an education to the community, whether it is family members who are there to visit patients or the patients that are being discharged on the same day.

Stroke: Warning Signs

Weakness in face, arm or leg; trouble walking, loss of coordination; sudden confusion, trouble speaking; sudden trouble seeing; and sudden, severe headache are some of the warning signs for a stroke. Rosemarie Schwitzer, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner with West Kendall Baptist Hospital, explains when the stroke is occurring, you have changes in the strength of your arm or leg. She also says if there are problems with the back of the brain, you might be veering to one side.

Stroke: Disabilities

There are five main types of disabilities that strokes can cause: paralysis or problems controlling movement, sensory disturbances, trouble with language, thinking and memory problems, and emotional disturbances. Rosemarie Schwitzer, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner with West Kendall Baptist Hospital, explains sensory disturbance will be any numbness or tingling in the face, hand and legs. She also says stroke patients need emotional support from their family members and a psychologist.

Stroke: Risk Factors

Genetics, family history, lifestyle, and certain medical conditions are risk factors for a stroke. Rosemarie Schwitzer, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner with West Kendall Baptist Hospital, says African-Americans have a greater incidence of having a stroke due to the risk factors of hypertension, obesity, and uncontrolled cholesterol and diabetes. She also explains alcohol intake, no physical activity, smoking, and poor choice in your dietary habits are also risk factors. She also points out hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol can form a very deadly combination if they are not treated.

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