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:

  • FFACE:  Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
  • AARM:  Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one droop downward?
  • SSPEECH:  Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
  • TTIME:  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.