Essentia Health-Sandstone team saves woman from major stroke with rapid treatment

In January, Brenda Langseth-Perrault, a 62-year-old retired school counselor from Sandstone, experienced sudden stroke symptoms while speaking with her husband, John, on the phone. Recognizing something was wrong, John encouraged her to seek immediate care. Brenda went to the emergency department at Essentia Health-Sandstone, where she initially remained alert and coherent despite elevated blood pressure. 

Shortly after John arrived, Brenda suffered a major stroke and became unresponsive. The ER team, led by Dr. Erika Miles, responded swiftly. A CT scan confirmed the stroke, and through telehealth consultation with Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, the team administered medication to help dissolve clots during a stroke. Within 40 minutes, Brenda regained her speech and motor function, returning to her normal self. 

For John, he went from losing his wife to seeing a miracle. 

Brenda was then transported by ambulance to St. Mary’s for further treatment. There, she underwent successful stent placement. 

Brenda and John were very impressed by the rapid response and high level of care at Essentia’s Sandstone hospital. The couple said the exceptional coordination between the local ER staff, telehealth specialists and ambulance team helped save Brenda’s life. John particularly appreciated being supported through the difficult decision-making process and praised the compassion shown to both him and Brenda. 

“We were so fortunate to have this level of care so close to home,” Brenda said. “The staff were wonderful, professional, caring and prepared with the right medication and technology when every minute counted.” 

Brenda has made a full recovery and now does most of her follow-up care at the Essentia Health-Hinckley Clinic. She goes to Essentia’s facilities in Duluth for certain follow-ups.  

“From random employees helping me navigate the Duluth campus, to the doctors, nurse practitioners, everyone is so helpful and we are so blessed to have all of Essentia’s team so close to home,” she said. 

For stroke care, time is precious.

If you or a loved one have a severe or life-threatening medical concern, rely on Essentia Health-Sandstone’s 24-hour emergency room. The hospital is a Level IV Trauma Center and an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital.

St. Mary's has earned the nation’s highest level of stroke certification after being designated an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center by the Joint Commission. It’s the only hospital in the region with this designation. As a nationally recognized stroke center, St. Mary’s can care for the most severe types of strokes and offer new treatments. 

One of the surest ways to prevent long-term side effects associated with a stroke is to act fast when signs and symptoms occur. Symptoms are varied and can include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, confusion or trouble speaking, loss of or blurry vision, dizziness and occasionally a sudden severe headache.

To improve outcomes, there is an easy acronym to remember – BEFAST, which stands for:

• Balance: Does the person have sudden loss of balance?
• Eyes: Has the person lost vision in one or both eyes?
• Face: Smile. Does the side of the face droop?
• Arms: Raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• Speech: Repeat a simple phrase. Is speech slurred or strange?
• Time: If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 911 right away.

  According to the American Stroke Association, 80% of strokes are preventable. Here are some lifestyle changes that can be made to reduce the risk:

• Lose weight.
• Eat healthy.
• Quit smoking.
• Drink less alcohol.
• Reduce stress.