Stroke hope

Stroke is the nation’s No. 3 killer and, in less-extreme cases, can result in severe and long-term disability. A clot-busting drug known as t-PA dissolves the brain-damaging clot that causes ischemic strokes, a condition where arterial blockage is disrupting blood flow to the brain. More than 600,000 Americans suffer ischemic strokes annually. The drug can restore blood flow if injected within three hours of the onset of a stroke. Houston has state-of-the-art stroke treatment centers at Memorial Hermann Hospital – Texas Medical Center, St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, Memorial Hermann Southwest and Methodist Hospital. EMS paramedics are trained to identify stroke symptoms and route victims to a stroke center within the critical three-hour window of opportunity.