May is Stroke Awareness Month, and the emergency room team at HCA Florida Highlands Hospital is reminding the community that when it comes to stroke, every minute matters.
Stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted or reduced. Without quick treatment, brain cells can begin to die, which is why the phrase “time is brain” is so important. Recognizing the signs of stroke early and seeking emergency care right away can make a significant difference in a patient’s outcome.
“Our message to the community is simple: do not wait,” said Dr. Collin Smith, emergency physician at HCA Florida Highlands Hospital. “If you notice sudden changes in balance, vision, facial movement, arm strength, or speech, call 911 or come to the emergency room immediately. The sooner we can evaluate a patient, the more treatment options may be available.”
The emergency team encourages everyone to remember the acronym BE FAST:
B — Balance: Sudden loss of balance, dizziness, or trouble walking
E — Eyes: Sudden vision changes, blurred vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes
F — Face: Facial drooping, especially on one side; ask the person to smile
A — Arms: Arm weakness or numbness; ask the person to raise both arms
S — Speech: Slurred speech, confusion, or trouble speaking or understanding words
T — Time: Time to call 911 or seek emergency care immediately
If symptoms appear, even if they go away, it is important to seek medical attention right away. A “mini-stroke,” also known as a transient ischemic attack, or TIA, can be a warning sign of a future stroke.
“When a patient arrives quickly, our team can begin immediate evaluation, imaging, lab work, and consultation to determine the safest and most effective treatment,” said Daniel Veale, director of emergency services at HCA Florida Highlands Hospital. “For some patients experiencing an ischemic stroke, clot-busting medication may be an option if they arrive within the appropriate treatment window.”
For eligible patients with certain types of ischemic stroke, intravenous clot-busting medication may be considered within up to 4.5 hours from when symptoms began. Some patients with large-vessel blockages may be candidates for mechanical clot removal procedures within a longer window, depending on imaging and clinical findings. Because treatment options depend heavily on timing, knowing when the person was last known well is extremely important.
“If you are with someone who may be having a stroke, note the time symptoms started or the last time they were known to be normal,” said Dr. Smith. “That information helps guide the emergency team’s treatment decisions.”
The emergency room at HCA Florida Highlands Hospital is open 24/7 and ready to care for patients experiencing stroke symptoms or any emergency medical concern.
“Stroke care starts with recognition,” said Veale. “We want our community to know the signs, act quickly, and trust that we are here for them when seconds count.”
For questions about stroke symptoms, prevention, or when to seek care, contact Consult-A-Nurse® at (844) 706-8773. If you or someone nearby is experiencing signs of a stroke, call 911 or go to a nearby emergency room immediately.