Rapid Response

Seven Words that Could Save Your Life

Take me to a Primary Stroke Center.  Those words could help you recover fully from a stroke instead of struggling with the sometimes devastating, long-term effects.

“Only Primary Stroke Centers, such as the Stroke Center at Loyola, offer the critical combination of physician expertise and nurse specialists, advanced technologies and patient services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” explained José Biller, MD, FAAN, FACP, FAHA, professor and chair, neurology, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, and medical director of the Cerebrovascular Program.  Loyola is proud to have earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ for stroke care from The Joint Commission, the agency that evaluates hospitals nationwide. 

To recognize stroke symptoms and receive life-saving care, think FAST:

• Your Face droops or looks different on one side.
• Your Arm (or leg) loses feeling, or you become imbalanced. 
• Your Speech becomes garbled, or you have trouble speaking.
• Your Time now becomes crucial – note when the symptoms started; call 911 immediately.

If these signs disappear quickly, don’t think, Oh, it was nothing. You may have had a transient ischemic attack (TIA), or a “mini-stroke.”  Although the blood flow blockage is temporary, TIAs are important forerunners of subsequent stroke. Loyola’s TIA clinic offers unique expertise to diagnose and treat mini-strokes.

Illinois law permits ambulances to take patients to a Primary Stroke Center – even if another hospital is closer. This allows Loyola to offer more patients and their families every type of care they need, from the Emergency Department to rehabilitation to ongoing support. Remember:  Take me to a Primary Stroke Center.

For more information, visit www.LoyolaMedicine.org/Stroke  or call (888) LUHS-888.