Newswise — When someone's having a stroke, there's no time to waste.
Treatment for the most common type -- ischemic stroke -- is generally only effective when given within the first three hours of the first symptoms. An ischemic stroke occurs when a clot or blocked artery cuts off blood to part of the brain.
The November issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter details the five warning signs of stroke that require immediate medical attention. They include sudden:
* Confusion or trouble breathing or understanding.
* Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or legs, especially on one side of the body.
* Trouble with vision in one or both eyes.
* Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination.
* Severe headache with no apparent cause.
Call for emergency help, typically 911, even if someone has just one symptom. The person having a stroke may not understand what's happening or may not be able to call for help
Mayo Clinic Health Letter is an eight-page monthly newsletter of reliable, accurate and practical information on today's health and medical news. To subscribe, please call toll free 800-333-9037, extension 9PR1.
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