Life seemed charmed for Krysta and Ryan Osweiler. In 2006, the newlyweds packed up their lives in Michigan and settled in Northern Virginia, excited about the future. But a little more than a year after thefy promised to love and cherish each other in sickness and health, a serious illness put their vows to the test.
Krysta, then a healthy 27-year-old, felt uncharacteristically lethargic for weeks. When she couldn't find relief from an unrelenting headache, Ryan grew concerned and took Krysta to the emergency room of their community hospital. Her symptoms were dismissed as a migraine and Krysta was sent home. A week later, they made a second trip to the ER and once again she was released. Her family physician prescribed pain medication, but Krysta became increasingly fatigued and the headache grew worse. When Ryan returned home from work days later, he found Krysta in bed, unresponsive — nearly comatose.
Krysta made her third visit to the ER in as many weeks — her symptoms still perplexing the medical staff. Pressed for answers, one last test was ordered: a brain MRI. Finally, a diagnosis: Krysta was having a stroke and needed specialized care at an established stroke center.
"A helicopter transported me to Georgetown," Krysta says. "I don't remember much of anything that happened, but Ryan has filled me in on all the frightening details."
Richard Burgess, MD, PhD, a neurologist and member of the hospital's Stroke Rapid Response Team, took over Krysta's care. He ordered a Magnetic Resonance Venography (MRV), a sophisticated diagnostic test that revealed a rare and dangerous venous sinus thrombosis.
Most strokes occur when a clot forms in an artery that carries blood to the brain. The venous sinuses are part of a network of veins that carry blood away from the brain to the rest of the body. When a clot forms in these vessels, blood pools in the brain, causing dangerous swelling.
"This is a very uncommon form of stroke — less than 1 percent of the 700,000 strokes that occur annually," explains Dr. Burgess. "It's far more common in women. While we don't fully understand it, we do know that risk factors include pregnancy, hormonal birth control and estrogen replacement therapy."
"Unlike most strokes, in which symptoms appear very suddenly," Dr. Burgess adds, "symptoms of venous thrombosis occur over a period of weeks, growing more serious over time."
Tragically, the condition is often misdiagnosed in women, with serious consequences. Fortunately for the Osweilers, Krysta ended up at Georgetown — a certified Stroke Center, with 24/7 emergency coverage by stroke experts, and a dedicated stroke unit staffed by highly trained stroke specialists.
"We may see two or three patients like Krysta every year — but it's not likely that a community hospital will have that level of experience," Dr. Burgess says.
Still, precious time had been lost for Krysta, and her condition was grave. She was immediately treated with blood thinners to break up the clots, and within days, began to respond. Just two weeks after she was admitted to Georgetown she was released.
"I had three sessions with a speech therapist and it was determined I didn't need rehabilitation," Krysta says. "I recovered fairly quickly — and even began a new job one month later!"
The Osweilers are very grateful to Georgetown for Krysta's remarkably positive outcome. But the couple also understands that many other women with the same diagnosis have not been as fortunate. "I never knew I was at risk from my choice of birth control and I'm sure I'm not alone," says Krysta. "So when Dr. Burgess asked me to join Dr. Chelsea Kidwell to speak to members of Congress about women and stroke, I decided it was something I had to do."
On February 26, Krysta and Dr. Kidwell, Director of the Georgetown Stroke Center, joined others on Capitol Hill to talk about the growing disparities in diagnosis and treatment of stroke in women.
Be Alert to Stroke Symptoms
Both women and men of all ages should know the warning signs of stroke and the importance of calling 911 immediately when these occur:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
To attend an upcoming community education lecture on stroke, call 301.774.8881.
For more information about stroke, call Georgetown MD at 202.342.2400 or toll free at 866.745.2633.
"We know that too often stroke symptoms in women aren't recognized, and critical clot busting drugs are used less often, resulting in poorer outcomes. More research and education are needed to help remedy this serious disparity in care," says Dr. Kidwell. "Women need to be aware of their risk for stroke and the preventive measures they can take. There are missed opportunities for stroke prevention in women of all ages."
On February 27, the Osweilers celebrated the one-year anniversary of Krysta's stroke — a day they plan to commemorate annually. "I'm truly blessed," says Krysta. "I feel privileged to be married to a man who stayed by my side in a difficult time and to have been treated at Georgetown. We both know that the stroke could have been fatal, but here I am one year later, and I feel great!"
For more information about stroke treatments, call: Georgetown MD at 202.342.2400 or toll-free at 866.745.2633.
