A
stroke is always a medical emergency. Recognize the signs of stroke and call
911!
A stroke happens when the supply of blood to the brain is suddenly interrupted.
Some strokes are fatal while others cause permanent or temporary disability. The longer a stroke remains untreated, the greater the chance of
stroke related brain damage. Emergency medical treatment soon after symptoms
begin improves the chance of survival and successful rehabilitation.
A blood clot blocks an artery (a blood vessel that carries blood
from the heart to the body) or a blood vessel (a tube through which the blood
moves through the body) breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the
brain. When either of these occur, brain cells begin to die and brain damage
occurs. When brain cells die during a stroke, abilities controlled by that area
of the brain are lost. These abilities include speech, movement and memory. How
a stroke patient is affected depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain
and how much the brain is damaged.
Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in America and the Number One cause of adult disability.
Stroke
Warning Signs
The
American Stroke Association says these are the warning signs of stroke:
- Sudden
numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of
the body.
- Sudden
confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
- Sudden
trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden
trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
- Sudden,
severe headache with no known cause.
Stroke
Symptoms
If
you or someone with you has one or more of these signs, don't delay!
Immediately call 9-1-1. Also, check the time so you'll know when the first
symptoms appeared. It is very important to take immediate action. If given
within three hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug can reduce
long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.
If
you have experienced any of these symptoms, you may have had a TIA (Transient
Ischemic Attack) or mini-stroke, consult your doctor immediately. If you think
someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do this simple test:
Act
F.A.S.T.
FACE - Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
ARMS - Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
SPEECH - Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can he/she repeat the sentence correctly?
TIME - If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important.
ARMS - Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
SPEECH - Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can he/she repeat the sentence correctly?
TIME - If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important.
Call
911 and get to the hospital immediately.
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