Friday, February 17, 2012

When Do You ACT FAST?

You never know when you may find yourself assisting a friend or loved one who may be experiencing symptoms of a stroke. We found ourselves in this very situation last weekend when our relative called and asked us to come to his aid. Thankfully, he did not have a stroke but it did make me realize how just knowing a few ways to detect stroke can make a difference in the outcome for the person.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or severly reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and food. It is a medical emergency and prompt treatment is crucial. Early action can minimize brain damage and complication. Know these  signs and ACT FAST:
  • Face       Facial droop or uneven smile
  • Arm        Arm numbness or arm weakness
  • Speech    Slurred speech, difficulty speaking or understanding
  • Time        Call 911  and get to the hospital immediately
Arkansas ranks third in the incidence of stroke. To improve the health care outcome for stroke patients across our rural state, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Center for Distance Health as designed the Arkansas Saves program to ensure treatment of stroke patients. Arkansas Saves (http://www.uams.edu/saves ) is a new telemedicine program that liks emergency room doctors at participating medical center to specially trained neurologists via live, two-way video that is available 24 hours per day. ACT FAST and get the life-saving treatment your friend or loved one may need!

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