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Stroke Warning Signs

Seek help immediately if you are experiencing any of these signs of a stroke:

Think and act FAST if you think someone is having a stroke:

Face – Does the face look uneven? Ask the person to smile.
Arm – Does one arm drift down? Ask the person to raise both arms.
Speech – Does their speech sound slurred or strange? Ask them to repeat a simple phrase.
Time – If you observe any of these symptoms, call 911 now.

Recognizing the signs of stroke and acting quickly can affect the treatment and outcome for a patient. Signs of stroke include sudden:

Numbness or weakness of the face, arms or legs
Confusion, or trouble speaking or understanding others
Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
rouble with walking, dizziness or loss of balance/coordination
Severe headache with no known cause

What happens during stroke

A stroke occurs when there is an interruption of the normal blood flow to the brain, due to a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel. Within seconds, brain cells deprived of oxygen start to die. Prompt treatment reduces the possibility of long-term disability or death.

Rapid response to stroke

Cape Cod Hospital and Falmouth Hospital are designated as Primary Stroke Service Hospitals by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. This means that a team of specialists is available 24/7 to provide emergency diagnostic and therapeutic services. Your care begins with EMS on the way to the hospital and continues in the ER when you arrive.

Our exceptional team of cardiologists, technologists and nurses at both hospitals are trained in the latest diagnosis and treatment of stroke. Patients receive state-of-the-art care following a stroke, including, when appropriate, clot-busting drugs that minimize the damage caused by a blood clot.