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Every 45 seconds someone in the U.S. will experience a stroke. The key to recovery is to recognize the signs and symptoms and call 911.

Elaine Bagger always looks forward to babysitting her three grandchildren. Taking care of Sara, Blake and Ireland is the highlight of her day, but this visit was going to be different. Soon after they arrived the grandkids noticed their grandmother was unable to speak, they decided to call for help, but first 5-year-old Ireland said, "Let's say a prayer." They prayed and called 911.

The 82-year-old was rushed by ambulance to St. Jude Medical Center, one of Orange County's few Stroke Receiving Centers. Upon arrival she was immediately given tPA, a clot-busting drug that dissolved the blockage in her brain, allowing oxygen-rich blood to travel freely and prevent vital brain tissue from dying.

Experts in stroke care will tell you that "time is brain," meaning it's vital to restore blood flow as quickly as possible to reverse or diminish the damage caused by stroke. Unfortunately, fewer than one in five stroke victims arrive at a hospital within three hours—the ideal treatment window. That's largely why, in spite of remarkable treatment advances, stroke remains one of the country’s leading causes of death and disability.

A majority of strokes, like Elaine's, are "ischemic" in which an artery to the brain is blocked. Symptoms are often sudden and can include numbness or weakness of an arm or leg (especially on one side of the body), trouble speaking or understanding speech, changes in vision, difficulty walking or dizziness. According to Anthony Ciabarra, M.D., Co-Director of the St. Jude Medical Center Stroke Program, less common is a "hemorrhagic" stroke in which an artery in the brain weakens or bursts, causing bleeding into the brain tissue. Symptoms of this type of stroke include a severe headache, nausea, vomiting, possibly a seizure and loss of consciousness.

The symptoms of a stroke are distinct because they happen quickly. It is important to know how to recognize a stroke. Use the FAST method:

• Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the Face droop?
• Ask the person to raise both Arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does the Speech sound slurred or strange?
• If you notice any of these symptoms, it's Time to get immediate medical help.

"Many people make the mistake of lying down and waiting to see if the symptoms disappear," explains Dr. Ciabarra, a board certified neurologist. "With a stroke, every minute that passes is brain lost."

After successfully treating and stabilizing Elaine, the stroke team at St. Jude began helping her rebuild lost abilities through highly intensive physical, occupational and speech therapy. The result? Today, Elaine is returning to the activities she loves, including babysitting.

To learn more about our program click here or call (714) 446-5539.

A Symbol of Excellence
St. Jude Medical Center has earned the Certificate of Distinction for Primary Stroke Centers, a nationally recognized honor. The distinction—awarded by The Joint Commission, the nation's largest and most respected accrediting body—acknowledges St. Jude's exceptional efforts to create better outcomes. The honor was awarded after an extensive onsite review of the medical center's stroke services.