Download our stroke information brochure
For a stroke symptoms magnet for your refrigerator dial (800)648-8141
More East Texans die of stroke than our neighbors in other parts of the state. That's why ETMC has launched an effort to encourage East Texans to recognize the warning signs of stroke and to seek help if symtoms occur.
Know the Risk Factors
Some risk factors are unavoidable, such as being male, having diabetes, being over 55, having a family history of stroke, or being African-American. Other risk factors can be controlled:
| •Cigarette smoking (doubles the risk) | •Lack of physical activity |
| •Being overweight or obese | •Poor nutrition |
| •High cholesterol and/or | •Circulation problems |
| high blood pressure | •Excessive alcohol consumption |
Know the Risk Factors
If you know what to watch for, you can help get appropriate care for someone who may be having a stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg - especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
- Facial drooping
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Know What to Do
Call 911 immediately! A stroke means there is a blood clot or bleeding in the brain. The sooner a person receives medical attention, the less brain damage will occur and the better the chance for recovery.
Know Where to Go
ETMC Tyler has met rigorous standards to become the region's first certified stroke center. That means we have specialists on staff with extra training in the care and treatment of stroke. Emergency, stroke center and rehabilitation center professionals all work in concert to ensure the best outcomes for people who have strokes.
