Recognizing stroke

BROOKSVILLE - The following Hernando Today health partner content is provided by Oak Hill Hospital, an HCA affiliate facility.
Recognizing the signs of stroke is the first step to getting lifesaving treatment.
Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in America and the number-one cause of adult disability.
Nearly 80 percent of strokes are preventable by reducing risk factors, such as smoking, hypertension, and physical inactivity. But if stroke does attack, it is imperative to know what it looks like. With timely stroke treatment, the likelihood of survival increases, and victims stand a better chance of limiting debilitating aftereffects.
"Roughly 2 million brain cells die per minute during stroke," says Rita Sivil, DO, ER medical director at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point. "Such a devastating toll can result in permanent brain damage, mental and physical disability, or even death. Knowing stroke symptoms and getting immediate medical attention can save a life."
Signs of Stroke
If you or a loved one suddenly demonstrates these symptoms, it is crucial to call 911 for immediate care: confusion or trouble speaking and understanding, difficulty seeing out of one or both eyes, numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg— especially if confined to one side of the body, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, or dizziness, unexplained severe headache.
Your Primary Destinations for Stroke Treatment
Community Hospital, Oak Hill Hospital, and Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point have all been certified as Primary Stroke Centers by The Joint Commission, meaning advanced, lifesaving stroke care is now closer than ever.
At a Primary Stroke Center, a highly skilled medical team is prepared to swiftly assess symptoms and administer treatment. Achieving this designation requires exceeding national standards for the treatment of stroke patients and demonstrating high-quality patient outcomes for several years.
Each facility possesses a Stroke Team comprised of clinicians and nurses who are available around the clock to assess patients within minutes of arrival using advanced technology such as computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
At Our Best When Every Second Counts
If a blockage is found to be restricting blood flow to the brain, a patient may receive clot-busting drugs, which must be administered within three hours of the onset of stroke symptoms to prevent significant brain damage and give patients the best chance of recovery.
Primary Stroke Centers offer comprehensive programs of care. In addition to acute response, the Centers assist patients on the journey to recovery. Services such as speech and physical therapy promote a faster return to normal life.