It is Stroke Awareness Month and News 12 is breaking down how to spot signs of trouble.

A stroke happens when blood supply is prevented from going to the brain,  because of either a blockage like a clot or if a blood vessel in the brain burst.

Dr. Rafael A. Ortiz, the Executive Director of Neurosciences at White Plains Hospital, says a person's chances of surviving is better when the people around them know how to respond quickly and properly. “They need to be able to identify neurological symptoms that someone is experiencing like inability to speak, slurred speech, lethargy. It could potentially be suffering a stroke."

Dr. Ortiz says remembering the term "FAST" can help in a scary situation:

F - Face drooping A - Arm weakness S - Speech difficulty T - Time to call 911

At White Plains Hospital they have a new program to help stroke patients. “We have a comprehensive neurosciences center in which we can take care of problems related to strokes. We are working together -neurosurgeons, neurologists, neurovascular surgeons, neurointensivist, all at the same time as we work with our rehabilitation facility - Burke Rehab,” says Dr. Ortiz.

Dr. Ortiz says this is an important resource because patients don't need to leave the Westchester community to get world class medical care.