Why is recognizing stroke signs important?
When it comes to stroke, “time lost is brain lost.” The longer you wait to get medical treatment, the more brain damage will occur, and the lower your chances of surviving and making a full recovery will be. Stroke can be treated, but only if you get help quickly. The rule to remember is that stroke needs to be treated within 3 hours of when the symptoms first started to occur. The most effective therapy for blocked-vessel (ischemic) stroke (the most common kind of stroke) is clot-busting drugs (tPA) that break up the blockage and allow blood and oxygen to get back to the affected part of your brain. However, these drugs must be given within 3 hours of the start of a stroke to work, and you’ll need to have tests done at the hospital first. Treatment is even more effective if given within 1 hour—the sooner you are treated, the better. If you experience any signs of stroke, don’t wait. Call 9-1-1 right away. What are the common symptoms of stroke? Not everyone gets all of the following w
