MASSENA – Much like a heart attack affects the heart, a stroke attacks the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain.

Massena Memorial Hospital Neurologist Kejian Tang, M.D. stressed that getting a stoke patient to the hospital as quickly as possible after a stroke is vital. Stroke patients are more likely to survive and experience less rehabilitation if they can be treated by a doctor within three hours of experiencing a stroke to receive medication through an IV.

“Time is very critical. The longer a patient goes without seeing a doctor the more brain damage a person can suffer,” explained Dr. Tang, who operates the Massena Neurology Center.

More than 600,000 people suffer a stroke every year and another 185,000 people suffer a recurring stroke, according to the American Stroke Association. A stroke affects part of the brain. Patients suffering from a stroke can lose the ability to talk, feed themselves, suffer memory loss, have impaired judgment, and eating - among other functions.

Doctors use CT scans, MRIs and EEG tests to determine the severity of a person’s stroke and brain function.

How do you know if someone has experienced a stroke? Remember F.A.S.T. and these signs to possibly save someone’s life. Tang pointed out, there is a more than 70 percent chance a person has experienced a stroke if they exhibit:

F – Face - Facial weakness and numbness. Does the person’s face look uneven?

A -- Arm - Arm weakness, not able to lift their arms and numbness. If the person can’t raise their arms that could be a clue.

S -- Speech - Difficult speaking. If the person can’t repeat a simply phase, such as “The grass is green.”

T – Time – Call 911 immediately if you see any of these signs.

Smokers, people suffering from high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and some heart conditions are at a higher risk of having a stroke. It’s never too late to improve your health. Incorporating exercise into your life can improve your health. Always check with your doctor before starting an exercise regiment.

Massena Neurology, located at 181 Maple St., is currently accepting new patients. Call 315-842-3095 to schedule an appointment to meet with Dr. Tang during his regularly scheduled office hours of 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.