A stroke, which is also sometimes referred to as a "brain attack," occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. If the brain does not receive a continuous supply of blood, brain cells begin to die within seconds. That's why time is of the essence when it comes to the treatment of a stroke. Unfortunately, perhaps more than one-third of people having a stroke will not call 911 to access what could be lifesaving treatment. 

Patient Maureen Pekosh discusses how receiving treatment within two hours of her stroke and the collaborative efforts of the NorthShore Neurological Institute's Acute Stroke Team made her remarkable recovery possible.

Don't ignore the signs of a stroke. Always remember to act FAST:

Facial droop
Arm and/or leg weakness or numbness
Speech or language difficulty
Timing, or get medical attention immediately