Would you know a stroke if you had one?

May is National Stroke Awareness Month.

Stroke strikes FAST, and you should, too! Many people don’t know that being able to recognize and respond to stroke symptoms can save lives.

A stroke or “brain attack” occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. When either of these things happen, brain cells begin to die and brain damage occurs. That’s why a stroke should be treated as an emergency.

Recognizing stroke symptoms can be easy if you remember to think FAST. Use F.A.S.T to remember the warning signs:

F= Face: 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: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Does the speech sound slurred?
T= Time: If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 9-1-1.

Brought to you by National Stroke Association and Stroke Support Association in Long Beach.

Categorized in: Stroke Symptoms & Updates