According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the 5th leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability in the United States. Do you know the signs of a stroke?

Let’s start at the beginning. What is a stroke?

A stroke is the result of blockage or the rupture of a blood vessel that carries blood to the brain. When that happens, the brain is not able to get the oxygen it needs. Without oxygen, the brain can’t do its job properly. Brain cells begin to die.

So what are the signs of a stroke?

In Extension of You Home Care’s ongoing caregiver education, this month we’ll be going over how to spot the signs of a stroke with our caregivers. This is so important that we want to share it with you as well. We’ll use the F.A.S.T method to identify the signs.

F   Face Drooping – Does one side of the face feel numb or look droopy? Ask the person to smile. Is their smile lopsided?

A  Arm Weakness – Does one arm feel numb or weak? Have the person lift both arms. Watch to see if one arm drifts downward.

S  Speech – Is the person’s speech slurred? Have them repeat a simple sentence back to you like “I’m going to the store.” Listen to see if they can say it correctly. A stroke can also cause a person to have trouble understanding what you are saying to them.

T Time – If you see any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately. It is important to make sure you note the time you started to notice symptoms. Even if the symptoms go away, the person should still get to the hospital as soon as possible.

 Additional Signs of a Stroke

In addition to the F.A.S.T signs, someone who is having a stroke may show these symptoms as well.

• Trouble seeing with one or both eyes
• Sudden, severe headache – which may include dizziness and vomiting
• Trouble walking – loss of coordination

 Why is knowing when symptoms began important?

The longer it takes for a person to be treated for a stroke, the more potential there is for brain damage. If a stroke is caused by a blockage, the Mayo Clinic website says that treatment with clot-busting drugs must start within a certain amount of time after symptoms begin.

The more we all know about the signs of a stroke, the better equipped we’ll be to prevent a death or disability. Pass it on! The life you safe could be your own.