National stroke awareness month

National Stroke Awareness Month is observed each year during the month of May. It was created to promote public awareness and reduce the incidence of stroke in the United States. More than 140,000 people die each year from stroke in the United States. Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States. Each year, approximately 795,000 people suffer a stroke. About 600,000 of these are first attacks and 185,000 are recurrent attacks. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States as referenced by American Stroke Association.

Warnings signs of a stroke are, but not limited to, numbness or weakness in your face, arm or leg, especially limited to one side, confusion or trouble understanding, problems walking or staying balanced, difficulty speaking or seeing out of one or both eyes. Minutes matter in the treatment of a stroke that is why it is important to know your signs. When you are having a stroke, your brain is not getting the blood it needs.

St. Martin Hospital is dedicated to serving our community with education and providing high quality healthcare. We provide patients with a board-certified physician within 10 minutes of arrival at door and with state-of-the-art CT capabilities with 25 minutes of arrival to our door for those who present with stroke-like symptoms. Knowing the warning signs of stroke and getting treated quickly can help the damaging effects. Treatments for strokes are very specific. They may include the use of powerful drugs to dissolve brain clots or reduce and prevent hemorrhaging, or emergency surgical intervention may be necessary to stop bleeding. St. Martin hospital will provide patients with these necessary powerful drugs and arrange for proper transfer to the facilities with neurosurgery capabilities.

St. Martin Hospital is a Level III Stroke Center, as designated by the Louisiana Emergency Response Network providing access for patients to the best neurosurgeons in four regions through telemedicine.

St. Martin Hospital is dedicated to serving our community with education and providing high quality healthcare. We provide patients with a board-certified physician within 10 minutes of arrival at door and with state-of-the-art CT capabilities with 25 minutes of arrival to our door for those who present with stroke-like symptoms.