With the risk for stroke increasing as we age, and the prevalence of stroke being the 5th leading cause of death in the US, knowing the signs of a stroke is as important as ever! If you are experiencing these symptoms, then there’s no time for messing around! Knowing these signs and getting help early could save a life! The official acronym for detecting if someone is having a stroke is FAST.
F: Face Drooping
Look at their face, does it look as though one side is lower than the other? How about if you ask them to smile, what happens? Does it look even? A lopsided smile or one side of the face drooping could be a sign that they are having a stroke.
A: Arm Weakness
Are they feeling tingling or numbness in one arm? This feeling can occur on either side and doesn’t matter whether it is the right or left arm, but the sign of a stroke typically means that it will affect only one side. If you ask them to hold up their arms, do both arms go up at the same height? Does one come back down? Or not make it up at all?
S: Speech Difficulty
Is the person making sense? Are their words coming out strange or unclear? Or maybe they are unable to speak? Try asking them to repeat a simple phrase like “The grass is green” or “My name is __________”. Can they do it? If they can’t repeat a simple phrase then this could be an early sign of more problems to come.
T: Time to Call 911
This is the most important sign! Recognizing the signs that someone is having a stroke and getting them to the hospital as fast as possible can allow for medical personnel to administer an IV fluid to assist with breaking up a clot or increasing blood flow to the area that is not getting any as a result of the stroke. This IV known as tPA can only be given in a small window after the first signs are seen, typically between 3 hours to 4 1/2 hours depending on the physician. This is why early stroke detection is so important. Although stroke is one of the leading causes of death it IS treatable and is easier to resolve if detected early! Look for the signs and get to the hospital with no dilly dallying!
The information you need…Straight Up!