Act FAST When Symptoms of a Stroke Appear

Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. It is also one of the leading causes of disability.

What is a stroke and how do you know if you or someone around you is having a stroke?

A stroke is when a blood clot blocks an artery to the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Once areas of the brain are deprived of blood, cells begin to die and the damage occurs. Depending upon the part of the brain that is affected, movement, speech and cognitive abilities can be impaired or lost.

Don’t think the elderly are the only ones at risk for a stroke. A stroke can happen at any age. The National Stroke Association has developed a set of warning signs that can easily be remembered with the acronym FAST.

•       FACE – is one side of their face drooping? Ask them to smile and look again.

•       ARMS – can they lift both arms? Does one drift down?

•       SPEECH – is their speech slurred or repetitive? Can they repeat a phrase after you?

•       TIME – if you observe any of these symptoms in yourself or someone around you, call 911. Note the time. There is a clot-buster medication approved by the FDA, but it must be administered within 3 hours of the first symptom.

Additional stroke warning signs include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness in arms, legs, or face that is typically concentrated on one side of the body
• Blurred vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Trouble walking, dizziness and/or a lack of coordination
• Sudden and severe headache
• In women, there are also a few other symptoms that are indicators of             stroke:
  • Sudden case of hiccups
  • Sudden weakness all over the body
  • Shortness of breath or heart palpitations

Time is the most critical factor in preventing permanent damage from a stroke. Don’t delay! Call 911 immediately.

The National Stroke Association has a Stroke Warning Signs wallet card (http://www.stroke.org/site/DocServer/FAST_walletCard_2011.pdf?docID=8342) you can download for free.

Has a family member or loved one suffered a stroke? Did you know the warning signs, did you see these?

Learn more and check out our website at www.homecareofnh.com