What You Should Know
Are You At Risk for Stroke?
Online Stroke risk assessment gives you information about your risk factors. See Your Results
Rapid Response is Vital
A stroke is a medical emergency. You need to arrive at the hospital as soon as possible after symptoms start to avoid being disabled. If you have a stroke, you or someone else should call 911 and get to a hospital.
If you or someone you know is having a stroke, you should call 911 immediately, and not wait or hesitate.
The longer the flow of blood is cut off to your brain, the greater the damage to it.
The National Stroke Association’s acronym FAST can help you quickly determine whether someone is having a stroke:
Always be sure to note the time of onset of symptoms.
A special clot-busting medication, known as tPA (tissue plasminogen activator), if given within three or four hours of the first symptom, may help reduce long-term disability for the most common kind of stroke.
Lower Your Risk
While everyone is potentially at risk for stroke, it is easier to manage your risk for stroke than you might think, since there are a number of lifestyle changes you can make that can help reduce your risk for stroke, including:
You can contact the Northwestern Stroke Center at 312-926-5188 or by the external transfer line at 312-926-3321.