Did you know May is National Stroke Awareness Month?
According to the American Heart Association, strokes are the #1 cause of disability and #5 cause of death in adults in the US every year. Someone has a stroke every 40 seconds. Those are pretty scary and shocking statistics, right?
My husband works in the healthcare field, where he deals with strokes on a daily basis. Needless to say, I hear about them a lot, but I’m guessing this isn’t the case for most people. Would you know what to do or how to tell if a loved one was showing signs of a stroke?
Are you familiar with the acronym F.A.S.T.? Use this simple test to determine if someone might be having or has had a stroke. They might not exhibit all of these signs, but even one could be a cause to think a stroke might have occurred. Recognizing these signs and what to do if you notice them in a friend, colleague or loved one could help save a life! {This is not medical advice, always consult a doctor.}
F – Facial Droop
- Is one side of the face drooping? Their smile might be uneven or droopy.
A – Arm Drift
- Have them hold up both of their arms in front of them. They might not be able to keep them both held even and steady.
S – Speech
- Their speech might be slurred or you may have a hard time understanding them
T – Time
- Immediately call 9-1-1 and let the operator know someone might have had a stroke. The sooner you get them medical attention, the better chance they have at recovery. Time = Brain.
As noted above, under “T,” the most important thing for you to do if you notice these signs in someone is to call 9-1-1 and get medical attention a.s.a.p. The advancement in today’s medicine allows doctors to do so much to help someone who has suffered a stroke, but they need to get to a hospital in order for that to happen!
I hope you never have to put this acronym to use, but I feel it’s important for everyone to recognize these symptoms just in case! You can visit The American Stroke Association if you’re interested in learning more.
