New York: A study has revealed that first three hours at the start of stroke are significant for the patients’ treatment. Nearly 20 percent of stroke victims in US do not reach hospital within three hours of first symptoms. This delay is greatly dangerous for their lives.

Researchers at University of Michigan said that tPA treatment, the only approved treatment for stroke caused by blood clots in brain, can reduce the the damage caused by stroke. The delay keeps many patients away from receiving tPA.

Lewis Morgenstern, professor of neurology, emergency medicine and neurosurgery at the U-M Medical School, said, “Efforts to speed up patients’ arrival at the hospital are absolutely crucial. We have very effective treatments; we just need to get patients to the hospital as fast as possible”

According to Morgenstern, it is compulsory for the person experiencing a stroke to be hospitalized within two hours of start of stroke to receive tPA immediately.

tPA can break up clots and stop or slow the damage caused by strokes. It can be administered intravenously within the first three hours of start of stroke, or injected directly into the brain within six hours.

The symptoms of stroke include sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of body, sudden trouble speaking or understanding, loss of balance or coordination, trouble seeing in one or both eyes, dizziness, trouble walking, severe headache with no known cause.

Researchers said findings emphasize the significance of public education efforts to help everyone understand that when a stroke strikes, they should immediately head for hospital.