June is Stroke Awareness Month, and Brightshores Health System encourages everyone in our community to learn the signs of stroke and understand the importance of rapid emergency response. With stroke, every minute counts – and early recognition can save lives.
“Time is brain — that’s a phrase we live by in stroke care,” said Dr. Young, Neurologist at Brightshores Owen Sound Hospital, the District Stroke Centre for Grey and Bruce counties. “The faster someone receives treatment, the better their chances of recovery and reduced disability.”
As the region’s District Stroke Centre, Brightshores Owen Sound Hospital provides a full range of specialized services:
- Emergency Stroke Care: Rapid diagnosis and treatment using the latest technology, including Rapid AI brain imaging and clot-busting medication when needed.
- Stroke Prevention Clinic: Assessment and follow-up for patients after a stroke or TIA to reduce the risk of recurrence through preventative education.
- Acute Stroke Unit: In-hospital care by a specialized team of stroke experts for those requiring close monitoring and treatment.
- Inpatient Rehabilitation: Therapy-focused care to help patients regain independence before returning home.
- Community Stroke Rehab: Home-based therapy and support following hospital discharge, focused on ongoing recovery.
Brightshores urges the public to remember the signs of stroke using the F.A.S.T. acronym:
- F – Face: Is it drooping?
- A – Arms: Can both arms be raised?
- S – Speech: Is it slurred or jumbled?
- T – Time: Call 911 immediately.
You should not drive yourself or someone else to the hospital when stroke symptoms appear. Paramedics are trained to identify stroke, and by calling 911, they will respond and provide care while transporting patients directly to the stroke centre.
“We’re equipped with the tools, expertise, and people needed to act quickly and effectively,” said Ryan Turner, Manager, Rehab & Stroke. “Our teams provide ongoing care throughout the stroke continuum back into their community and beyond. Recognizing the signs of FAST and calling 911 right away makes all the difference.”
Up to 80% of premature strokes are preventable with healthy habits such as eating well, staying active, quitting smoking, and managing blood pressure.
Follow Brightshores on social media for stroke education and prevention tips shared throughout June.
For more information on stroke services at Brightshores or to learn how to reduce your risk, visit: www.brightshores.ca/stroke-centre
