OCALA, Fla. — Quick action by two Marion County Fire Rescue first responders helped save the life of a 76-year-old Ocala man who suffered a rare and potentially deadly stroke.
Firefighter/Paramedic Garrett Gomes and Firefighter/EMT Rayner Rodriguez were called to the man’s home after he experienced sudden dizziness and vision problems.
Although the symptoms were subtle, the first responders recognized they could be signs of a stroke and immediately initiated a stroke alert.
The patient was transported to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, where his condition rapidly worsened.
By the time he arrived, he could no longer speak and soon required a breathing tube.
Doctors determined that a clot was blocking the man’s basilar artery, a major blood vessel supplying the brainstem.
A blockage in the basilar artery can be especially dangerous and, without rapid treatment, can result in death or severe, lasting disability.
Doctors at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital were able to remove the clot in time.
Within 14 hours of the procedure, the patient was alert, oriented and able to speak and eat, with no residual deficits.
Hospital officials said the case underscores why recognizing stroke symptoms, including less traditional warning signs, is so important.
There’s an easy way to remember the signs of a stroke; just remember, “BE FAST.”
It stands for balance or loss of coordination, eyes or sudden vision changes, if your face is drooping, any weakness in your arms, if speech is difficult, then it would be time to call 911.
Remember, strokes don’t wait, “be fast.”
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