Strokes can happen to anyone. In fact, globally about one in four adults over the age of 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime. Even so, most adults in the U.S. don’t know the F.A.S.T warning signs of a stroke, and that stroke is largely treatable if you call 911 as soon as you recognize the symptoms.
For World Stroke Day on Oct. 29, the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, invites people to learn how to spot the stroke warning signs with F.A.S.T. and how stroke survivors can prevent a recurrent stroke.
F.A.S.T. stands for:
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- Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?
- Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.”
- Time to Call 9-1-1 – If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital immediately.
A stroke happens when normal blood flow in the brain is interrupted. When parts of the brain don’t get the oxygen-rich blood they need, those cells die. Early treatment leads to higher chances of survival and helps reduce disability.
A large majority of strokes can be prevented through education and lifestyle changes such as moving more, eating smart and managing your blood pressure.
For more information about stroke, including risk factors and prevention, visitwww.stroke.org.
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I totally understand having a stroke !! A little over a year ago I had 3 Mimi strokes while having a severe case of Covid ! I immediately lost my bodily functions from my waist down! I had complications with a Lafayette hospital trying to get a diagnose with my problem since all they would do was tell my husband that I had Covid and there wasn’t anything they could do! So consequently I went untreated for a few weeks ! My husband finally was so unhappy with my treatment he took me to Assension Carmel hospital and they diagnosed me in just a few hours later and admitted me immediately and started treating me immediately!! Before this I was taken by Medic Ambulance 3 times to Lafayette and sent home 3 times with no help !! I was kept in Carmel hospital until they made arrangements for my admittance to a Rehab Hospital in Lafayette! They started me immediately on a intense program to get me moving again as well as speech and brain function !! I was treated for 3 weeks before being sent home with continued at home therapy !! It is SO IMPORTANT to get a stroke patient moving as soon as possible! This whole process takes A Long Time but it has taken me longer because of my delay in Diagnosis!!! Families if you feel something is wrong fight for your Loved One !! It is critical !! I has been almost 14 months and I am still working towards walking again ! I am using a cane now !! I am Still fighting unsteadiness but I am still alive an working to get back to what my normal is !!! Thank you to my incredible Husband who has refused to let me Give Up !!!