Former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi suffered a stroke last week and he returned to social media on Monday to give an update on how he’s feeling.
Stroke is a serious emergency medical condition that affects someone every 40 seconds in the United States. Last week, former Patriots linebacker and current ESPN analyst Tedy Bruschi was affected. Fortunately, he quickly recognized his symptoms and got emergency medical attention and was back on Instagram late in the week telling the story of his experience.
He posted outlining the warning signs of a stroke saying, “Around 10:30am on July 4th I lost use of my left arm. I then tried to speak and realized I was slurring my speech. As I turned to my wife she noticed the left side of my face was drooping. We immediately knew what was happening. These are stroke warning signs. We called 911 and an ambulance got me to the hospital. Thank you for all your kind thoughts and prayers. I’m doing much better.”
This was Bruschi's second stroke - his first occurred in 2005 and his ability to recognize the symptoms may have saved his life.
You can follow his example with these tips on how to act FAST to get someone suffering from a stroke to lifesaving medical care, increase their chance of survival and reduce long-term effects.
We hope that you never have to Act FAST, but we’re here to arm you with these important steps so that you’re prepared to help save a life in the event of a stroke emergency.
What is a Stroke?
A stroke affects the brain. It occurs when blood flow is blocked to part of the brain (ischemic stroke) or a blood vessel suddenly bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). These events can cut off blood and oxygen supply to the brain and damage brain cells. Seeking quick treatment and diagnosis can help reduce the risk of long-term effects from the stroke, such as difficulty walking, speaking or eating.
Act F.A.S.T.
Learn how to identify the signs and symptoms of a stroke. Just remember the acronym “F.A.S.T.”
- Face: Can the person smile? Does one side of the face droop?
- Arms: Can the person raise both arms? Does one arm drift downward?
- Speech: Can the person repeat a simple phrase? Is speech slurred or strange?
- Time: Call 911 immediately if any of these symptoms are present.
Remember to mark the time you first noticed the person experiencing symptoms. This can help doctors better diagnose and treat the stroke.
Treating a Stroke
Fast treatment of a stroke allows doctors to administer special medicine that helps restore blood flow to the brain and stop damage. That quick treatment is the first step of a long journey to help your loved one – or you – heal, recover and get back to the activities you love.
No matter where you are or what care you need, take comfort in knowing lifesaving care is close to home. Our Emergency Room at AdventHealth Ocala is Gold Level Get With the Guidelines Stroke recognized by the American Heart Association and equipped with the tools, protocols and therapies to help restore whole health.
