ROCK HILL, S.C. (CN2 NEWS) – Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death in the United States. What can be even more frightening, doctors say you can seem healthy and have no idea you are on the verge of a stroke.
With May being Stroke Awareness Month, CN2 News learned more about a program at Piedmont Medical Center that offers state-of-the-art treatment to saves lives impacted by a stroke.
For 46 year old Will Rivera of Rock Hill, he spent many years of his life serving the Rock Hill community and in the US Military. With such an active lifestyle, when he was told he had a stroke in 2021, he was shocked.
“I remember I woke up in the morning and my wife went to make coffee, and I stood up and I immediately hit the floor”, says Rivera.
Rivera says from what he can remember, he couldn’t talk or use the right side of his body. His wife quickly called for help and he ended up at Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill.
“Will falls into a category we call a wake up stroke”, says Dr. Ryan Gianatasio.
Dr. Ryan Gianatasio is the Medical Director of Piedmont Medical Center’s Neuroscience Program. He and his team saw Rivera on that July day in 2021.
“A stroke is something that happens in your brain that comes on suddenly”, says Gianatasio.
Thanks to the Interventional Neurology Program at Piedmont Medical Center, they were able to save Rivera’s life.
Now, close to a year later, Rivera is healthy and has no impacts physically from the stroke. This is his first time back in the room known as the Biplane Suite at Piedmont Medical Center.
Rivera says he’s thankful for this team and he wants others to be aware of the symptoms and signs of stroke because it could happen to anyone.
