Act F.A.S.T., act now!
At Loyola, we know that seconds count when it comes to stroke. The faster you receive treatment, the more brain cells we can save. If you suspect that someone is having a stroke, call 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY. If you are having a stroke, do not try to drive to the hospital. Call 9-1-1 or ask someone else to make the call. Even if the symptoms decrease, you need to seek medical attention.
The signs of stroke:
Face. Try to smile. Is one side of the face drooping or numb? Is vision suddenly blurry or different than usual?
Arm. Try to move both arms. Is one weak or numb? When both arms are outstretched, does one drift downward?
Speech. Say a simple sentence like “The sun is bright.” Is speech slurred or hard to understand?
Time. Time is essential. If any of the tasks appeared difficult, call 9-1-1 immediately. Note the time that the symptoms first appeared and tell the paramedics.
Other symptoms seen with stroke
Sudden numbness or weakness of the leg.
Sudden confusion or trouble understanding.
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.
The Stroke Center at Loyola is composed of a nationally recognized team of experts in nearly every facet of stroke-related care, including emergency medicine, neurology, neurosurgery, neurospsychology, neuroradiology, rehabilitative services, social work, nutrition, pharmacy and specialty nursing.
Working together in a multidisciplinary setting, Loyola's Stroke Center has been accredited by the Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center with Disease Specific Certification. And, Loyola has been recognized by the American Stroke Association with its Get with the Guidelines Stroke Gold Performance Achievement Award for our commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care through a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients.
Learn more about Loyola’s award-winning Stroke Center.