Getting to the hospital within 4.5 hours of the onset of stroke symptoms is essential if the “clot-busting” medications (thrombolytic therapy) are to be effective. A comparison of hospital admissions at ER departments in the U.S. has shown little difference in the percentage of stroke patients arriving by ambulance between 1997 and 2008. What are the signs of stroke? Sudden trouble speaking, walking, dizziness, loss of balance or difficulty seeing in one or both eyes.
PositiveTip: If you think someone is having a stroke, call 911 immediately.