May is National Stroke Awareness Month
STROKE: It Happens In An Instant. Do You Know The Signs?
A stroke is an emergency – it can happen to anyone, at any time, and at any age. What happens when someone experiences a stroke and what happens next is of critical importance.
Better stroke outcomes begin with stroke recognition.
Save a life by having a better understanding of stroke and
by knowing what signs and symptoms to look for.
According to the National Stroke Association, a person experiencing a stroke can be treated if people have acted FAST – 80% of strokes can also be prevented.
FAST being an acronym for things to check in a suspected stroke victim:
- F – FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
- A – ARM: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one droop downward?
- S – SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
- T – TIME: If you observe any or all of the above signs, call 9-1-1 immediately!
The aim of National Stroke Awareness Month is to make Americans aware that they may be able to ‘Save A Life’ of a person experiencing a stroke by remembering to:
ACT F.A.S.T.