Six ways to spot a stroke

By Dr. David Hess, Chief of Neurology

March 28, 2008 01:19 pm

— AUGUSTA — Each year about 700,000 people suffer a stroke, the third leading cause of death in the United States. There are treatments that reduce the risk of death and damage from the most common type of stroke, but only if you get help quickly - within three hours of symptoms.
Here are six symptoms that will help you identify a possible stroke:

1.Sudden numbness, weakness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
2.Sudden blurred or decreased vision in one or both eyes.
3.Sudden confusion or difficulty understanding simple statements.
4.Sudden difficulty speaking.
5.Sudden loss of balance or coordination combined with another symptom.
6. Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Families and friends of those at risk should educate themselves on the signs and symptoms of stroke so that they can act fast in a
crisis. Those at risk include those who are over 55, or have heart or artery disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history and who
smoke. Smokers have about twice the risk of nonsmokers. And those at greatest risk are those who have previously experienced a stroke.
If you suspect a loved one has had a stroke, call 911 immediately. Don’t wait. According to the American Stroke Association,
stroke is the leading cause of serious long-term disability. Fewer than 3 percent of stroke patients receive medication in time to treat stroke,
especially in smaller communities that lack neurological services.
Treatment is available to curb disability, but only if your loved one gets to an appropriate facility within the recommended three-hour
window.

MCG Health, Inc. (d/b/a MCGHealth) is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCGHealth Medical Center, MCGHealth
Children’s Medical Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center, and related outpatient facilities and services throughout the state.
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