Stay ahead of the third leading cause of death
We live in a world where everything happens quickly. Instant communication, instant purchases, instant gratification. Sometimes, to counteract the rush of life, it’s good to stop and smell the roses…except when you’re dealing with a possible stroke. To survive the third leading cause of death, time is of the extreme essence.
“It's very important to take immediate action if someone is experiencing signs of stroke,” explains Luis F. Eljaiek, Jr., M.D., medical director of the Irene V. Hylton Emergency Care Center at Sentara Potomac Hospital. “If stroke symptoms are recognized early and 9-1-1 is called, we can give the patient a clot-busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which can reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke. The catch is that tPA must be given within three hours of the start of stroke symptoms, so quick medical intervention is vital to a successful recovery.”
When it looks like stroke, don’t hesitate. Call 9-1-1.
Stroke Alert!
If you or someone with you has one or more of these stroke warning signs, don't delay – call 9-1-1 right away!
• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• 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
