May is American Stroke Month – Know the Warning Signs with F.A.S.T.
May is American Stroke Month. Cuero Regional Hospital wants to help patients in preventing, beating and treating stroke in our community. According to the American Stroke Association, every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke. And, hospitals around the country are seeing decreases in their stroke numbers due to fear of seeking medical treatment during this period of pandemic with COVID-19.
“It could happen anywhere. It’s key to know the stroke warning signs so you can spot them and call 911. Minutes matter and could save a life or make the difference between a full recovery and long-term disability. That’s why it’s so important to learn the stroke warning signs and urge everyone you know to do the same, “ said Judy Mazak, Emergency Department Director at Cuero Regional Hospital. “Fear of seeking medical care and postponing medical treatment during this period of COVID-19 can be life threatening. Cuero Regional Hospital is ready, providing a clean and safe emergency department to see you anytime of the day.”
“As always, remember time is brain. Even in the time of COVID-19, we are taking all the proper precautions to keep our patients safe, yet get them the appropriate stroke treatment FAST! Early intervention is the key to successful recovery, so if you have symptoms of a stroke, don’t delay, said Dr. Jennifer Gonzales with Cuero Regional Hospital.
“In fact, according to the American Stroke Association, stroke patients who are treated with the clot-busting drug IV r-tPA Alteplase within 90 minutes of their first symptoms were almost three times more likely to recover with little or no disability,” said Mazak. “I cannot stress enough that seeking immediate medical treatment is so very important.”
Learn the stroke warnings signs with F.A.S.T
Face Drooping
Arm Weakness
Speech Difficulty
Time to call 911
”Cuero Regional Hospital has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to providing the most appropriate stroke treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. We continue to strive for excellence in the acute treatment of stroke patients,” said Mazak.
For more information and the latest updates from Cuero Health, please visit www.cuerohospital.org