Always call 911, and not your doctor, if you feel these symptoms...

Ever since the advent new treatments for acute stroke, there is a concern among stroke doctors that not enough stroke patients are actually enjoying the benefits of these treatments. Only a small percent of people who would be candidates for acute stroke treatment with tPA actually receive it because they don't make it to the hospital in time to be treated. Why don't they? In many cases, perhaps in most cases, it is because people with strokes take too long to seek medical attention. Sadly, many people don't even call 911 (i.e., the ambulance) when they first discover their symptoms, and instead they prefer to make an appointment with their doctor for a quick visit! Don't deprive yourself from receiving the latest stroke treatments

Here are a few symptoms that should ALWAYS make you call 911 BEFORE you even think about calling your doctor.

• Weakness of the face, arm, and/or leg on one side of body
• Numbness in the face, arm, and/or leg one side of body
• Inability to understand spoken language
• Inability to speak
• Inability to write
• Vertigo and/or gait imbalance
• Double vision
• An unusually severe headache

Suggested reading:
What is a transient ischemic attack (aka ministroke)?
Stroke risk factors
All about stroke symptoms