Every one knows that you should get to a hospital emergency room if you're experiencing symptoms of a heart attack.

Doctors also want us to view a stroke or "brain attack" as a serious medical emergency as well.

Today, doctors can do far more to help people who suffer from a stroke than 20 years ago.

Studies show, that if you get to the emergency room within three hours of a stroke, doctors can administer clot dissolving drugs that can reduce your risk of dying and reduce serious long-term disability.

Stroke is a leading cause of serious disability, such as paralysis and loss of memory and speech.

This year, seven hundred thousand people will suffer a new or recurrent stroke.

But there's hope.

Doctors say about 85 percent of all strokes can be prevented by positive lifestyle changes, such as controlling your blood pressure and diabetes.