Dignity Health Merced | helloHealthy | Winter 2019

4 DignityHealth.org/Merced | Winter 2019 Imagine this: One moment you’re talking with a loved one about your favorite TV show. The next moment, you’re slurring your words, your vision is blurred, and it’s hard to move. Chances are you’re having a stroke—a leading cause of disability. But if you or your loved one can recognize that fact and seek medical help quickly, you’ll improve your chances of making a full recovery. The need for speed Strokes happen when the brain’s blood supply is disrupted by a clot that blocks a blood vessel (ischemic strokes) or a blood vessel that bursts and bleeds (hemorrhagic stroke). When this happens, brain cells immediately start to die. At the Stroke Center at Dignity Health – Mercy Medical Center, a dedicated stroke team provides treatments that may minimize the damage from a stroke. For instance, if you’re having an ischemic stroke, they may give you a clot-busting drug called tPA. But there’s a small window of opportunity—often just a few hours—to administer this or other stroke treatments. “It all comes down to time,” says Melanie Morris, RN, Stroke Coordinator at Mercy Medical Center. “You need to get here as soon as possible.” The best way to do that? Call 911 at the first signs of a stroke. The acronym F.A.S.T. can help you remember how to recognize a stroke and take action. Don’t delay: Get help for stroke Our Stroke Center offers rapid treatments that may help you avoid devastating side effects of stroke