Stroke symptoms are always an emergency, even during COVID-19

Let’s face it, COVID-19 is stressful. Many people are concerned about their safety when they leave their homes, and for some, that same feeling applies to seeking medical care.

While some types of care can be postponed, the symptoms of stroke are always an emergency. McLaren is here for our community in these unprecedented times to safely deliver expert stroke care.

McLaren implemented extreme safety precautions for COVID-19 that go beyond its already stringent standards. Those measures include separating patients with COVID-19 symptoms, screening everyone who enters its facilities for symptoms, and more frequently disinfecting high-touch areas.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic it continues to be imperative that anyone experiencing the signs and symptoms of stroke calls 911 or is transported for emergency care immediately,” said Jeneen Hinkle, MSN, RN, FNP-C, McLaren Greater Lansing Stroke Program Coordinator.

Strokes are the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States and cause the highest number of long-term disabilities. Once a blood vessel bursts or is blocked and oxygen stops flowing to the brain, time is ticking for a person’s future.

Strokes are the fifth-leading cause of death in the united states and cause the highest number of long-term disabilities. Once a blood vessel bursts or is blocked and oxygen stops flowing to the brain, time is ticking for a person’s future. Knowing how to spot the signs of a stroke can help save a life.

If you can remember the acronym BE FAST, you can remember these signs to watch for:

Balance – Watch for a sudden loss of balance.

Eyes – Is there a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes? Or double vision?

Face – Ask the person to smile and check to see if one side of the face droops.

Arm – Ask the person to raise both arms and see if one arm drifts downward.

Speech – Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence and check to see if words are slurred or the sentence is repeated incorrectly.

Time – If a person shows any of these symptoms, it is important to get to the hospital as quickly as possible, and immediately call 911.

McLaren Greater Lansing is a designated Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission and continues to provide cutting-edge, compassionate care to stroke patients. McLaren Greater Lansing is part of the McLaren Stroke Network, which allows interventional neurologists to choose a path of care around the clock utilizing a cutting-edge stroke robot.

For more information on strokes and stroke care, visit mclaren.org/lansingstroke.

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