Donna was with her son Brian when he noticed that the left side of her face was drooping, and then she collapsed.

As an emergency room nurse at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, Brian recognized the signs of a stroke and told his mom, "I think you're having a stroke," before beginning an assessment and calling 911.

The American Heart Association presents Get With The Guidelines - Gold Plus award for commitment to prioritizing quality care for stroke patients

Lynn’s husband Steve was diabetic and diagnosed with end stage renal disease 11 years ago. Without warning, Steve’s condition turned critical three years ago. Desperate for guidance and strength, Lynn was connected to April and the Palliative Care team at Missouri Baptist Medical Center.

That fall day in October 2016 was just like any other weekday. Rich Welmon, a mechanic, got up and went to work; he didn’t think anything of the heaviness he felt in his leg or the short episode of dizziness he experienced during the day. But when his left hand refused to respond the next evening, he knew something was wrong.

At Missouri Baptist Medical Center we know that speed is critical in treating stroke patients to prevent brain damage and increase opportunities for recovery. That is why the Missouri Baptist's program is centered around efficiency.

The following are the most common stroke warning signs. Go to the ER immediately if experiencing any of the symptoms. A quick response can help reduce damage.

Your care team may provide a variety of treatment options, including medication and surgery

Your risk for stroke is based on many factors including heredity conditions, medical issues, natural processes, such as age, and lifestyle. For the risk factors you can control, prevention is the best medicine.