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KNOW THE SIGNS OF A STROKE
Getting to the hospital in time can make a huge difference for someone who has had a stroke. There's a three-hour window during which time stroke victims can benefit from a drug known as T-P-A (tissue plasminogen activator). A study by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has found that those who are given T-P-A are at least 30 percent more likely to recover from their stroke with little or no disability. But the NINDS reports only a fraction of stroke victims are getting to the hospital in time to benefit from the drug.
The sooner a stroke is recognized, 9-1-1 is called and the patient is taken to a hospital, the better the chances for recovery. So, know the signs of a stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body)
- Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
If one of more of these symptoms appears suddenly don't wait....call 9-1-1.
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