BANGOR — Each year in Maine, approximately 3,500 people experience a stroke; about one in five are fatal. Receiving timely medical care can mean the difference between disability or worse, which is why knowing the symptoms of a stroke can save lives.
May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and a good time to discuss the warning signs. If you’re not sure if it’s a stroke, remember the acronym BEFAST — watch for sudden changes in Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, and Speech. If you see any of these signs, it’s Time to call 911.
“Strokes block vital oxygen and nutrients to the brain, so time is crucial if a patient is having a stroke,” says Angela Wheelden, BSN, RN, SCRN, nurse program manager, Northern Light Stroke Care. “When you call 911, stroke treatment can begin during your trip to the hospital. From the ambulance, the emergency medical team notifies the hospital, who activates a rapid assessment and expedites treatment when you arrive. This gives you a better chance of higher quality of life after the stroke.”
Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center is certified by The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center and recently received a Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Achievement Award, which includes an Honor Roll Elite distinction from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association for the 12th consecutive year.
For patients and families affected by stroke, it can be a difficult road to recovery. Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center has a stroke support group and invites patients and caregivers to meet others who understand what it’s like to recover from a stroke. The group meets online and in-person on the second Thursday of each month. To learn more about stroke symptoms and the stroke support group, community members may visit northernlighthealth.org/strokecare.
