Spot a Stroke!

Spotting a Stroke

Here is a simple acronym to follow that will help you spot a stroke.

F – Facial Droop

Does one side of the face droop when smiling?

A-Arm Weakness

Does one arm drift down when raising both arms?

S – Speech Difficulty

Is speech slurred or does it sound strange?

T – Time!

If you observe any of these symptoms – TIME TO CALL 911!!

 

Many people confuse a heart attack and a stroke but it helps if you think of a stroke as a “brain attack”. A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is cut off and deprives the brain of the oxygen and glucose it needs to survive. It is essential to catch and treat a stroke early to prevent possible brain damage or even death.

 

1. A. S. T. gives a basic list of what to look for in a loved one to help them get treatment FAST!

Common symptoms are:

• Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body
• Loss of vision or dimming (like a curtain falling) in one or both eyes
• Loss of speech, difficulty talking or understanding what others are saying
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
• A loss of balance or unstable walking, usually combined with another symptom

Arm yourself with knowledge about stroke and where to get treatment fast.

Signs that you may be having a stroke:

1. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
2. Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
3. Trouble seeing or blurred vision in one or both eyes
4. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
5. Sudden severe headache with no known cause

“You should never wait more than five minutes to dial 9-1-1 if you experience even one of the signs above. Remember, you could be having a stroke even if you’re not experiencing all of the symptoms. And remember to check the time. The responding emergency medical technician or ER nurse at the hospital will need to know when the first symptom occurred.

Stroke is not only the No. 4 cause of death in the United States, it’s also a leading cause of severe, long-term disability. That’s why it’s important to take action immediately. Research conducted by The American Stroke Association shows that patients who take a clot-busting drug, or thrombolytic, within three hours of their first stroke symptom can reduce long-term disability from ischemic stroke – the most common type, accounting for about 87 percent of all cases.

When you know the signs of stroke, the life you save could be your own or someone else’s. Learn to spot the signs of stroke, or spot a stroke F.A.S.T. (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911) with the help of our mobile app for iphone/ipad. Your life is in your hands!” – Go Red For Women

 

If you have questions please call us or drop in for a check up. If you believe you or a loved one have suffered or are suffering from a stroke call 911 immediately.

Rio Grande Urgent Care