Know the Warning Signs of Stroke
Content Source: www.strokeassociation.org
Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability and the leading preventable cause of disability. Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death in the United States, killing nearly 130,000 people a year. That’s one in every 20 deaths.
Nearly 800,000 people in the United States have a stroke every year, with about three in four being first-time strokes.
Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds. There are more than seven million Americans who are stroke survivors.
Anyone can have a stroke. Know the warning signs to get medical treatment fast.
Use the letters in "F.A.S.T." to spot stroke signs and know when to call 9-1-1.
FACE DROOPING
Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven or lopsided?
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." Is the person able to correctly repeat the words?
TIME TO CALL 9-1-1
If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and say, "I think this is a stroke" to help get the person to the hospital immediately. Time is important! Don't delay, and also note the time when the first symptoms appeared. Emergency responders will want to know.
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