Fast Action for Stroke:
When Every Minute Counts

You called 911 the minute you noticed something was wrong. Your husband was having trouble talking, had lost his balance and was grabbing for a chair. Later, the Emergency Department physician told you that your husband suffered a stroke but was receiving treatment — and that your quick thinking made all the difference. That’s because the longer a stroke victim goes without treatment, the greater the chance for permanent disability.

“Time is a critical factor in treating stroke,” said Nancy Edwards, MD, Medical Director for the stroke program at Tobey Hospital. “But all too often those having symptoms wait to get help, hoping it will go away. But delay can be devastating.”

Stroke patients seeking treatment at a Southcoast hospital receive the highest level of care quickly. All three of our facilities are designated Primary Stroke Service providers by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. That means our highly trained staff meets rigorous state standards for quality and efficiency.

Most strokes are caused by a blood clot in the artery leading to the brain. Stroke also can occur when a blood vessel bursts and bleeds into the brain. Strokes can affect thinking and speaking and cause paralysis and other disabilities — even death. Fast diagnosis and treatment is crucial because some stroke therapies must be given within three hours from the start of the stroke.

Stroke’s Warning Signs

• Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion and trouble speaking or understanding.
• Sudden difficulty seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden dizziness or loss of balance or coordination.
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.