Act F.A.S.T. - Learn the Signs of Stroke
Stroke is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of serious disability for adults. What do we need to know and what can we do to help ourselves or someone else?
By knowing the signs and symptoms of stroke and acting F.A.S.T., you can take action and perhaps save a life.
According to the CDC, the signs of stroke in men and women are:
- Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.
- Sudden trouble seeing in ore or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.
- Sudden severe headache with no know cause.
Call 9-1-1 right away if you or someone else has any of these symptoms.
By acting F.A.S.T., the stroke treatments that work best are available only if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within 3 hours of the first symptoms. If you think someone is having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do the following test:
F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face drop?
A – Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does on arm drift downward?
S – Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?
T – Time: If you seen any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away
Note the time when any symptoms first appear. This information helps health care provider determine the best treatment. Even if your stroke symptoms go away after a few minutes, one may have had a "mini-stroke." Although brief, this attack is a sign of a serious condition that will not go away without medical help.
Additional resources:
Signs and Symptoms of Stroke
Treatment of Stroke
Risk Factors
National, Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: What is a Stroke?
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS): Stroke Information
This information is taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Use of this material does not imply endorsement by the CDC. The original material is available for free on the CDC website and is not altered in any way.
