Act FAST if you think you are or someone near you is having a stroke, otherwise known as a brain attack. Time lost translates into the loss of brain cells. Recognizing stroke's symptoms and acting fast can make the difference between life and death.
While forgetting the acronym for the Great Lakes (Hint: HOMES) may not be a life or death matter, the acronym FAST is one not to forget. Remember the acronym FAST to recognize the most common stroke symptoms:
F for Face: Weakness or a drooping, crooked smile; sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes. What to do: Look at the person’s face. Is there any visible drooping around the mouth and eyes? Ask the person to smile or show the teeth. This will determine if there is a facial weakness on one-side, which is usually the case with a stroke.
A for Arms: Weak or drooping arm. What to do: Ask the person to close their eyes and raise their arms straight out in front of them. Does one arm drift downward? Stroke victims usually will have trouble maintaining the same level with both arms.
S for Speech: Slurred speech, or inability to understand or be understood, inability to speak. What to do: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase, like a nursery rhyme, the Lord’s Prayer, or the words to a song. Listen for slurred speech, impaired speech, or difficulty understanding your directions.
T for Time:What to do: If the person shows any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. Brain cells are dying.
Often the one suffering a stroke doesn’t even feel the seriousness of the situation, and drives himself to ER. A patient who arrives to the ER on foot may lose precious time waiting to be seen. Transport by an ambulance is best for getting to the ER. Patients arriving by ambulance receive faster evaluation by ER personnel. In addition, the EMS personnel can mobilize resources at the hospital ahead of the patient's arrival (e.g., CAT scan and stroke teams).
Within the first three hours of the onset of a stroke, a victim might have clot-busting medications and other treatments administered.
Why it is important to act FAST?
A stroke is:
• the third leading cause of death in the US
• the first leading cause of adult disability in the US. The effects of a stroke may include paralysis, poor memory and loss of speech.
Strokes afflict approximately 700,000 people per year in the US.
This FAST test should not be substituted for the appropriate medical advice and evaluation. However, you just may save a life if you act FAST.
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Act FAST if you think you are or someone near you is having a stroke, otherwise known as a brain attack. Time lost translates into the loss of brain cells. Recognizing stroke's symptoms and acting fast can make the difference between life and death.
While forgetting the acronym for the Great Lakes (Hint: HOMES) may not be a life or death matter, the acronym FAST is one not to forget. Remember the acronym FAST to recognize the most common stroke symptoms:
F for Face: Weakness or a drooping, crooked smile; sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes. What to do: Look at the person’s face. Is there any visible drooping around the mouth and eyes? Ask the person to smile or show the teeth. This will determine if there is a facial weakness on one-side, which is usually the case with a stroke.
A for Arms: Weak or drooping arm. What to do: Ask the person to close their eyes and raise their arms straight out in front of them. Does one arm drift downward? Stroke victims usually will have trouble maintaining the same level with both arms.
S for Speech: Slurred speech, or inability to understand or be understood, inability to speak. What to do: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase, like a nursery rhyme, the Lord’s Prayer, or the words to a song. Listen for slurred speech, impaired speech, or difficulty understanding your directions.
T for Time:What to do: If the person shows any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. Brain cells are dying.
Often the one suffering a stroke doesn’t even feel the seriousness of the situation, and drives himself to ER. A patient who arrives to the ER on foot may lose precious time waiting to be seen. Transport by an ambulance is best for getting to the ER. Patients arriving by ambulance receive faster evaluation by ER personnel. In addition, the EMS personnel can mobilize resources at the hospital ahead of the patient's arrival (e.g., CAT scan and stroke teams).
Within the first three hours of the onset of a stroke, a victim might have clot-busting medications and other treatments administered.
Why it is important to act FAST?
A stroke is:
• the third leading cause of death in the US
• the first leading cause of adult disability in the US. The effects of a stroke may include paralysis, poor memory and loss of speech.
Strokes afflict approximately 700,000 people per year in the US.
This FAST test should not be substituted for the appropriate medical advice and evaluation. However, you just may save a life if you act FAST.