Acting fast saved my grandfather’s life. When it comes to stroke, every minute counts.
Julie Penny, DNP, RN, CCRN, SCRN, CNE-cl
Director at Large, American Association of Neuroscience Nursing
It was shortly after the 11 o’clock nightly news, his usual routine. My 88-year-old grandfather stood up but quickly realized something was wrong. He couldn’t move his left arm or leg.
Determined, he army crawled to the kitchen, reached for his landline phone, and called my aunt. He thought he was saying, “Heidi, help. I can’t move my left arm or leg.” However, the words came out garbled. Recognizing the slurred speech as a sign of a stroke, my aunt immediately called 911.
A stroke, often called a “brain attack,” occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. There are two main types of strokes: ischemic stroke, when a blood clot blocks a vessel in the brain, cutting off blood flow; and hemorrhagic stroke, when a blood vessel bursts, causing bleeding in the brain.
Without blood flow, brain cells start dying at a rate of 1.9 million per minute. These cells control movement, speech, and thought, so time is critical. Every minute that passes increases the risk of permanent brain damage. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of long-term disability. Recognizing the signs and acting quickly can make all the difference. The acronym “BE FAST” can help:
- B: Balance – Sudden loss of balance or coordination
- E: Eyes – Trouble seeing out of one or both eyes
- F: Face – One side of the face drooping or feeling heavy
- A: Arm – Weakness or numbness in one arm or leg, usually on one side
- S: Speech – Slurred or garbled speech or difficulty speaking
- T: Terrible headache – Often described as “the worst headache of your life”
“Strokes can be obvious when a person is unable to speak or move one side of their body, but they can also be subtle, like numbness and tingling in an arm, sudden dizziness or loss of balance, or partial visual loss,” says Rosa Hart, a stroke-certified registered nurse and host of the Stronger After Stroke podcast. “If you experience even one of these symptoms, always call 911”.
The stroke window
Quick action is crucial because “time is brain.” There is a limited timeframe (typically less than 3 hours), often called the “stroke window,” during which treatment is most effective. The sooner you get to the hospital, the sooner treatment can begin.
Many hospitals are certified as stroke centers, meaning they have specialized teams and equipment to handle stroke cases rapidly. Upon arrival at the hospital, you’ll likely undergo a CT scan to determine whether the stroke is ischemic or hemorrhagic. Treatment depends on the type: for ischemic strokes, a medication to dissolve the clot can be administered, or a procedure to remove the clot might be an option. For hemorrhagic strokes, the focus is on stopping the bleeding, either with medication or surgery.
Closing the “stroke window” by rapidly seeking medical care reduces the risk of death and long-term disability. People who arrive at the hospital within three hours of their first stroke symptom tend to recover better than those who delay treatment.
My grandfather was one of the lucky few who arrived in time. He received the medication to dissolve the clot and, remarkably, fully recovered with no lasting effects. Today, at 91, he’s back to his old self — mowing the lawn, playing with his great-grandchildren, and vacationing with family.
His story is a powerful reminder of the importance of quick action during a stroke. In an emergency, you might think to call a family member first, but remember, the professionals on the other end of a 911 call are trained to be your lifeline. They are ready to help when you need it most.
