Act FAST to Remember the Most Common Symptoms of a Stroke
Time is of the essence when treating a stroke. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that stroke treatments that work the best are available only if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within three hours of the first symptoms.
Granville Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing treats both short-term and long-term patients recovering from a stroke, so we want you to be familiar with the warning signs so you can do everything possible to lessen the damage that it can cause.
When it comes to the warning signs, experts urge that you learn the acronym FAST.
F — Face
For the victim, this can feel like sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body. For a witness, ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A-Arms
Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S — Speech
The victim may feel a sudden onset of confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding speech. An observer should ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the person’s speech slurred or strange?
T — Time
If you notice any of the signs above, call 911 immediately. Also note the time that symptoms first appear, as it helps doctors determine the best course of treatment.
If you’re suffering a stroke, you may also have the following sudden symptoms: trouble seeing out of one or both eyes, trouble walking, loss of balance, or lack of coordination, and/or a severe headache with no known cause.
One final piece of advice from the CDC: Do not drive yourself or the person you suspect of suffering a stroke to the hospital. Call 911 instead, as paramedics can begin treatment on the way to the emergency room.
To learn more about Granville Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit https://centershealthcare.com/granville_center/.
