Shannon Medical Center | Health Beat | Spring 2017

8 / 8

Stroke?Act F. A . S .T.
During a stroke, blood flow to the brain is blocked or
interrupted. And when that happens, brain cells start
to die. Quick treatment is essential to reduce the risk
of serious complications, disability and death.
So know the signs of stroke. It helps to think F.A.S.T.:
Sources: American Heart
Association; National Institutes of
Health; National Stroke Association
When a stroke strikes, time is of the essence.
Face drooping. Is one side of the face droop-
ing or numb? Ask the person to smile—is the smile
uneven?
Speech difficulty. Can the person speak at
all? Is speech slurred or otherwise difficult to
understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple
sentence. Can they repeat it correctly?
Arm weakness. Is one arm weak or numb? Ask
the person to raise both arms out to the sides,
and take note if one arm drifts downward.
Time to call 911. If a person has any of these
symptoms, call 911 for help. Call even if symptoms
go away. And note the time so you can let medi-
cal personnel know what time symptoms started.
1Keep blood pressure and
cholesterol at optimal levels.
2 If you have diabetes or
heart disease, work with
your doctor to get the condi-
tion under control.
3 Maintain a healthy weight,
eat a nutritious diet and
get regular exercise.
F
A
S
T
Even better than
stopping a stroke?
Preventing one in
the first place.
The most common type of stroke can be treated with a
medication called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA).
And the more quickly that a person is treated with tPA,
the less damage the stroke may cause.
HEALTH BEAT is published as
a community service for
the friends and patrons of
SHANNON MEDICAL CENTER,
120 E. Harris Ave.,
San Angelo, TX 76903,
telephone 325-653-6741.
Len Mertz
Chairman, Board of Directors
Shane Plymell
President and CEO
Lyndy Stone
Editor
Kori Knappe
Contributing Writer
Information in HEALTH BEAT
comes from a wide range of
medical experts. If you have any
concerns or questions about
specific content that may affect
your health, please contact your
health care provider.
Models may be used
in photos and illustrations.
2017 © Coffey Communications, Inc.
All rights reserved.
SPRING
2017
Shannon Medical Center complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and
does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability,
or sex. Language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you.
Please call 325-653-6741, ext. 6541.
Shannon Medical Center cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables
y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo.
ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia
lingüística. Llame al 325-653-6741, ext. 6541.
Shannon Clinic–Beauregard . . . . . . 120 E. Beauregard Ave. . . . 325-658-1511
Shannon Clinic–Pediatrics . . . . . . . 225 E. Beauregard Ave. . . . 325-481-2287
Shannon Clinic–Harris . . . . . . . . . 220 E. Harris Ave. . . . . . 325-658-1511
Shannon Clinic–Magdalen . . . . . . . 102 N. Magdalen . . . . . . 325-658-1511
Shannon Clinic–Southwest . . . . . . . 4450 Sunset Drive . . . . . 325-658-1511
Shannon Clinic–Sunset . . . . . . . . 4235 Southwest Blvd. . . . . 325-481-2197
Shannon Clinic Urgent Care North . . . 2626 N. Bryant . . . . . . 325-481-2271
Shannon Clinic Urgent Care West . . . . 4251 Sunset Drive . . . . . 325-481-2226
Shannon Clinic Urgent Care South . . . 3502 Knickerbocker Road . . 325-481-2222
Shannon Clinic–Red Arroyo . . . . . . 3016 Vista del Arroyo . . . . 325-949-9408
Shannon Clinic–College Hills . . . . . . 4141 College Hills . . . . . . 325-481-2320
Family Health Center –Ozona . . . . . . 102 Ave. H . . . . . . . . 325-392-3788
Shannon Clinic–Big Spring . . . . . . . 2503 Gregg St. . . . . . . 432-606-5178
A stroke is a medical emergency. Always
call 911. Our emergency department
staff are trained to treat stroke.
HEALTH BEAT
Stroke
8 HEALTH BEAT