What are the signs and symptoms of a stroke? 

“The most common signs and symptoms are weakness on one side of the body, trouble talking, loss of vision, slurred speech or the face becoming droopy,” says Mill Etienne, MD, neurologist at Good Samaritan Hospital, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth). “Less common signs include suddenly becoming clumsy, difficulty walking or even a severe dizziness. If you experience anything like this, call 911 immediately – and keep calm in the meantime, says Dr. Etienne. “Don’t eat or drink anything, because you might have difficulty swallowing, as well.”

The key is to get to the hospital as soon as possible because the sooner one receives medical attention, the better the chances of a good recovery. As Dr. Etienne explains: “As we learn more about strokes, we are finding that there is more we can do to protect and preserve the brain.”

Good Samaritan Hospital’s Stroke Center:

www.goodsamhosp.org/stroke-center