If your partner, child, parent or friend has a stroke, will you recognize it? And more importantly, will you know to seek emergency care immediately?
We hope you never face this situation, but it’s essential to recognize stroke symptoms when you see them and know what to do when the unexpected occurs.
With this goal in mind, we want to empower you with important stroke information and one easy-to-remember acronym so that you’re ready to help save a life at a moment’s notice.
What Is a Stroke?
A stroke happens when blood flow is blocked to part of your brain (ischemic stroke) or a blood vessel suddenly bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). These events can cut off blood and oxygen supply to your brain and damage brain cells.
A stroke is a sudden medical emergency (this means you need to call 911 right away) that affects someone every 40 seconds in the United States and is one of the leading causes of disability in our country. If a stroke is left untreated, or if care is delayed, long-term physical damage or death can occur.
Immediate Medical Care Reduces Harm from a Stroke
Strokes are often life-threatening, but survival is possible, especially when you get help quickly. When someone you know is having a stroke, it’s imperative to call 911 right away. Getting a loved one lifesaving medical care for a stroke increases their chances of survival and reduces long-term harm from the stroke, such as difficulty walking, speaking or eating.
How to B.E. F.A.S.T.
Remember the signs and symptoms of a stroke by using the acronym B.E. F.A.S.T., which stands for:
- Balance: Does the person have trouble with balance or coordination?
- Eyes: Is the person experiencing sudden blurring or loss of vision in one or both eyes?
- Face: When the person smiles, does one side of the face droop?
- Arms: When the person raises both arms, does one sink back down?
- Speech: Is the person’s speech slurred? Can they repeat a simple sentence?
- Time: If the person has any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.
Similar to heart attacks, stroke symptoms can vary between men and women. You should specifically look out for these stroke symptoms in women:
- Agitation or sudden behavioral change
- Difficulty breathing
- General weakness
- Hallucination
- Hiccups
- Loss of consciousness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain
- Seizures
Expert Stroke Care When You Need It Most
When you see stroke symptoms, remember the acronym B.E. F.A.S.T., and call 911 immediately to get your loved one to your closest ER.
You can take comfort in knowing that lifesaving care is close to home at any of our AdventHealth ERs in Northwest Georgia. Each of our emergency departments is equipped with the tools, protocols and therapies to address a stroke immediately.
