Acute Stroke

Symptoms of an acute stroke (per the American Stroke Association) include:

1) sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
2) sudden confusion
3) sudden trouble speaking or understanding speech
4) sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance
5) sudden severe headache
6) sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

If these symptoms occur you should immediately go to the closest Emergency Room. Today there is a FDA approved treatment for acute stroke if you arrive within 3 hours of the symptoms.

At UNC Hospitals, the Department of Neurology is also evaluating 2 experimental medications called Neuroprotective Agents. These drugs may decrease the size of a certain type of stroke and prevent it from worsening.

Medication must be given within 4-6 hours after symptoms begin. If you experience the above symptoms, call 911 and go to the nearest Emergency Room.