Why It's Important to BE FAST When it Comes to Stroke

When Carl noticed a severe headache followed by weakness on his left side, he knew something was wrong. After calling 911, he was taken by ambulance to Bronson Battle Creek Hospital. Within minutes, he received a CT scan and neurologist Dr. Ryan Yoder confirmed he was having a stroke.

Because Carl arrived within the critical treatment window, he was able to receive clot-busting medication to help restore blood flow to his brain. But what caused Carl's stroke?

Dr. Yoder ordered further testing and found that Carl’s stroke was caused by plaque in his carotid artery that had broken off and triggered a blood clot. To prevent another clot, Carl was going to need surgery. He was transferred to Bronson Methodist Hospital, where vascular surgeon Dr. Zachary Virgin successfully repaired his carotid artery.

Since Carl's stroke in March 2024, he has made a strong recovery and is back to doing what he loves—serving as an official in local youth and amateur sports.

His story is a powerful reminder that stroke symptoms come on fast and getting help right away can significantly improve your chance of recovery.

Know the signs. B.E. F.A.S.T.
Balance – sudden loss of balance
Eyes – sudden vision changes
Face – facial drooping
Arm – arm weakness
Speech – speech difficulty
Time – time to call 911