Recently, a 50-year old woman was brought into the ER experiencing paralysis on the left side of her body and the inability to speak. We immediately recognized she was a stroke victim and sprang into action. Within minutes, she was given a CT scan of the head to see if she was a candidate for thrombolysis, a relatively new procedure that must be administered within three hours from the onset of symptoms to reduce damage to the brain tissue caused by blood clots. The attending neurologists and radiologists consulted regarding the test results and confirmed there wasn’t any bleeding in the brain and initiated the clot-busting procedure. 48 hours later, our patient left the hospital and returned home fully recovered with no disabilities!

According to the American Stroke Association, brain damage can begin within minutes, so it is important to know the symptoms of stroke and act fast. By recognizing the symptoms of a stroke and acting quickly, diagnostic tests and treatments like thrombolysis can reduce the risk of severe, permanent damage to the brain tissue and increase your chance for a full recovery. Here’s what to look for:

• Numbness, weakness, or paralysis of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes. You may have double vision, or things may look dim or blurry.
• Confusion or trouble understanding.
• Slurred or garbled speech.
• Trouble walking. You may feel unsteady, dizzy or clumsy.
• Severe headache.

If you think someone might be suffering a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately. Every second counts.