The brain is a voracious consumer of oxygen, utilizing a quarter of the body’s supply. When a stroke occurs, it disrupts the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain, and the longer this crucial organ is deprived of oxygen, the higher the risk of irreversible damage.
As a result, immediate and timely stroke treatment becomes paramount. Ignoring the onset of any new neurological problem is unwise, especially when experiencing any of the following seven symptoms, all of which necessitate urgent attention:
1. Weakness or numbness on one side of the body.
2. Facial drooping on one side.
3. Difficulty reading or comprehending speech.
4. Slurred speech.
5. Sudden, severe headache, often described as the worst ever experienced.
6. Loss of peripheral vision.
7. Difficulty walking.
If you or someone around you exhibits one or more of these symptoms, it is imperative to call 911 without delay. Avoid driving yourself or asking others to do so. Ambulance crews are now well-trained to bypass local hospitals and transport patients directly to comprehensive stroke centers, ensuring the quickest and most appropriate medical intervention.