According to the CDC, someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds and every four minutes, someone dies of a stroke. Stroke is a major cause of disability and the fifth cause of death in adults in the U.S. These are startling statistics, but the chances of survival are greater when emergency treatment begins quickly. Knowing and recognizing the signs of stroke is critical; the public is encouraged to think FAST and if someone has any of the symptoms below to call 911 right away: 

F- Face: Watch for facial drooping. Ask the person to smile and see if one side of the face droops.

A- Arms: Are their arms weak? Ask them to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S- Speech: Look out for slurred speech or speech difficulty. Ask them to repeat a simple phrase, such as: "The sky is blue." Can they do it?

T- Time: If you notice any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. Even if the symptoms go away, still call for help.

During a stroke, every minute counts! Fast treatment can lessen the brain damage that stroke can cause. Patients who arrive at the emergency room within three hours of their first symptoms often have less disability three months after a stroke than those who received delayed care. 

Piedmont Macon and Piedmont Macon North offer two advanced stroke centers in middle Georgia that specialize in providing the critical elements necessary to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes for stroke patients.

According to Gary Bernstein, MD, Chief Medical Officer, “Piedmont Macon and Piedmont Macon North continue to strive for excellence in the acute treatment of stroke patients. Our stroke teams are dedicated to care that is timely and effective in order to save lives and improve outcomes.”

Even with the staggering statistics, stroke is largely preventable, treatable, and beatable. Stroke prevention starts with making healthy choices and controlling known health conditions. Many strokes can be prevented through healthy lifestyle changes and working with a health care team to control health conditions that raise risks for stroke.  For more information on Piedmont’s stroke care https://www.piedmont.org/neurosciences/stroke/about