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>> Stroke affecting both the old and the young, man and woman,
have devastating consequences.
It's the 3rd leading cause of death,
but more importantly it's the leading cause
of long term disability; leaving the victims with paralysis,
contractures, numbness, inability to speak,
to think clearly, or to walk,
unable to lead a fully independent life.
So if it is you or one of your loved ones
who have any stroke symptoms, it is important for you
and your loved one to come to a hospital that's equipped
and familiar with treatment of acute stroke.
There are now some 200-300 stroke centers
across the country.
At El Camino Hospital we have a joint commission certified
stroke center.
In an emergency room like this one, within seconds
of your arrival the entire stroke team will be mobilized.
You'll be evaluated by the nurses, physicians experienced
in the treatment of stroke immediately.
Within minutes all the necessary blood testing, CT scans,
MR scans will be accomplished.
A stroke neurologist, who will be on call 24/7, will be coming
to your bedside to determine the best treatment for you.
However all this are time sensitive.
It is important for you to come
to a stroke center as soon as possible.
There are 2 messages I would like you to remember.
The first one is the word 'fast', F-A-S-T.
F stands for face.
If your face suddenly becomes drooped or paralyzed.
A stands for arm.
If either one of your arms becomes paralyzed,
you are unable to raise or to use it in any form.
S stands for speech.
When you have trouble speaking,
or trouble understanding spoken language.
Then you lead to T, means time.
Time would then be of the essence.
So FAST will let you remember the symptoms
of an impending, or onset of a stroke.
The second message relates to the best way to come
to the most appropriate hospital where they have a stroke center
that will be capable of taking care of you, and that is 911.
The paramedics have been trained.
They are protocoled, they can recognize your symptoms,
measure your vital signs, and transfer you
to the closest stroke center
that will be suitable for your treatment.
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