Almost 800,000 people have a stroke in the U.S. every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Even more startling is that one in four will die from a stroke.

Acting quickly and seeking advanced medical care is critical to improving recovery time from a stroke. In fact, one study found that patients who receive care at least three hours from their first symptoms tend to have less disability three months after a stroke than those who delayed treatment.

Signs and symptoms of a stroke

The first step in getting proper treatment is knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke. If you or a loved one experiences any of the following sudden symptoms, call 911 immediately:

• Confusion
• Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
• Trouble seeing out of one or both eyes
• Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on only one side of the body
• Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or lack of coordination
• Severe headache with no known cause

Act FAST

Acting fast can improve recovery chances from a stroke, and the simple word can help you better identify if you or someone you love is having a stroke.

Just remember FAST:

F – Face: Does one side of the face droop?

A – Arms: Does one arm drift downward when you try to raise both arms?

S – Speech: Is speech slurred?

T – Time: Call 911 immediately if you notice any of the above signs.

Teleneurology key to delivering expert care, fast

Teleneurology helps patients see a qualified, experienced neurologist even when the patient and doctor are miles apart. Teleneurology allows a neurologist to visually examine a patient from a remote location using a sophisticated telecommunication system. The system also allows for two-way communication, so the neurologist can ask questions and speak with family members.

Teleneurology is now available in the emergency departments at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton and Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica. Offering this critical component of stroke care is one of many steps Tanner is taking to receive a Primary Stroke Care designation from The Joint Commission, positioning Tanner to offer the community a more advanced level of stroke care.

To learn more about Tanner’s emergency departments and stroke care through initiatives like teleneurology, please click here.