3 signs you may be having a stroke

Baptist Health System: Stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S.

SAN ANTONIO

If you have ever experienced a stroke or know someone who has had a stoke, you know the effects can be devastating.

 

There is a new revolutionary technology offered at St. Luke's Baptist Hospital, called "RAPID" to help stroke patients. 

 

First of all, what is a stoke?

 

A stroke occurs when the blood flow to a part of the brain is cut off.

Strokes are very serious and can lead to permanent brain damage, or can result in death if not treated properly. 

3 Signs You May Be Having a Stroke 

 

Baptist Health System came up with F.A.S.T for people to remember if they are having a stroke and what to look for.

F.A.S.T 

1. Face

*Facial weakness or facial drooping

2. Arms

*Sudden weakness in your arms

3. Speech

*Speech abnormality

Time 

* If you have any one of these symptoms listed above it's time to call 9-1-1.

 

What is RAPID & How Can it Benefit Someone? 

 

RAPID, in a nutshell, is a new tool in the medical industry, which allows physicians treating stroke patients to speed up their recovery process. 

 

Ramesh Grandhi a Neurosurgeon, said "Specifically the patients we are trying to address are those that have a large vessel occlusion that occurs when a clot comes from some part of the big artery in the neck or brain. People that have these sorts of strokes are really, really sick." 

 

It's basically a new, first of it's kind diagnostic technology for stroke.

- Baptist Health System

 

St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital is a Comprehensive Stroke Center and the first in San Antonio to offer the RAPID stroke technology.

 

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RAPID Results 

 

One of the biggest differences we have seen is that patients who wouldn't be eligible for treatment are actually now eligible for treatment. We are able to offer an option for patients.

- Michelle Patterson, RN, Director of Stroke Services at St. Luke's 

 

RAPID tells physicians whether a patient can be treated and if they have a brain risk.

 

Patients that had devastating strokes where we did not anticipate them returning home in a state of independence, are now being able to take care of themselves.

- Michelle Patterson, RN, Director of Stroke Services at St. Luke's 

 

RAPID enables advanced imaging processing within 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

 

They are now actually able to go home and be independent. Sometimes they would be leaving the hospital within two-three days.

- Michelle Patterson, RN, Director of Stoke Services at St. Luke's 

 

For more information, you can visit baptisthealthsystem.com or call 210-875-0199. 

 

St. Luke's Baptist Hospital is located at 7930 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229.

 

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Information courtesy: Baptist Health System


About the Author:

Kiersten has been a Digital Content Creator with KSAT12 since 2017. She graduated from Texas State University with an electronic media degree and previously worked for the Spurs Sports & Entertainment.