Mark Ketter has worked at the Kroger in Heath for 42 years.  On August 24, 2021, Mark arrived at 5:00 a.m., for his morning shift as the Frozen Foods Manager.  About an hour and a half later, he began to notice a tingling sensation in the fingers on his right hand.  He did not think much of it because he had experienced similar feelings before when working in cold environments.  When Mark started to feel that same tingling sensation in his toes on his right foot, he began to worry that something might be wrong.

“I had remembered that these feelings could be the symptoms of a stroke, so I went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror to see if my face was drooping,” Mark explained.  “I didn’t see any changes in my face, so I went and bought a bottle of aspirin and took one just to be on the safe side.”

A couple of hours passed, and Mark noticed the tingling sensations in his hand and foot were not going away.  He had just received a wellness check that morning at the Kroger Pharmacy, so he returned and told the pharmacist that he was concerned that he might be having a stroke.  The pharmacist checked Mark’s vital signs and suggested that he go to the Emergency Department (ED).  Mark called his wife, Glenna, and told her that he needed her to drive him to the Hospital because he thought he may be having a stroke.

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures.  When this happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen needed, and brain cells begin to die.  The effects of a stroke depend on several factors, including the location of the blockage and the amount of brain tissue affected.  One side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body, so a person who has a stroke on the left side of their brain will experience complications on the right side of their body.

When Mark arrived at the Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH) ED, he was immediately triaged and underwent an electrocardiogram (ECG) to rule out any heart conditions.  When his ECG came back normal, he was sent to get an MRI, which revealed evidence of an ischemic stroke on the left side of Mark’s brain.  He was diagnosed with suffering an acute ischemic stroke (AIS). 

An AIS occurs when blood flow through a brain artery is blocked by a clot and is responsible for nearly 90 percent of all strokes.  Strokes can happen to anyone, but the risk increases with age.  Other risk factors include uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary artery disease, high cholesterol, and smoking.  A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain.  TIA symptoms may vary in duration – lasting a few minutes up to 24 hours.  Mark’s symptoms only lasted about five hours, and by the time he was admitted to LMH for observation, his symptoms had disappeared.

He saw DeRen Huang, M.D., of Licking Memorial Neurology during his stay.  “Dr. Huang was very knowledgeable.  He talked with me about what happened and discussed changes I could make to improve my health and prevent future strokes,” said Mark.  “I was an occasional smoker, but once I learned that smoking is a risk factor for stroke, I quit that day.”

At his follow-up visit, Dr. Huang prescribed a cholesterol-lowering medication to reduce the risk of clots and prevent stroke.  He is also taking one aspirin daily.  Mark has quit drinking soda and tries to drink the recommended 64 ounces of water each day.  He has also lowered his stress level by stepping down from his position as Frozen Foods Manager at Kroger and now assists in the general grocery area.

“It would have been so easy for me to ignore the symptoms and just keep working,” Mark said.  “I am glad that I recognized the signs of a stroke and trusted my instincts to seek medical help.  Everyone at LMH treated me well and knew exactly what to do to help me.  I knew I was in capable hands.”

During a stroke, every minute counts.  Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a stroke can save a person’s life.  Stroke treatments work best if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within three hours of the first symptoms.  Common symptoms include drooping of the face on one side, impaired mobility on one side of the body, and slurred speech.  A person may also experience memory loss, changes in vision, vertigo, confusion, or a sudden severe headache.  Individuals should call 911 immediately if they notice a sudden onset of these symptoms.