In the United States it is estimated every 40 seconds a person has a stroke, that’s around 790,000 people having them every year according to, The American Heart and Stroke Association. When someone is having a stroke it is critical to get emergency care immediately as it can be treated. Experts say medical treatment should be done within an hour in order to prevent long term disabilities or even death. There are warning signs and if everyone would take just a minute to memorize the symptoms we’ll all be better equipped to help others.
SEVEN SIGNS OF A STROKE ARE:
1. Face drooping, one side of the face may be uneven so ask the person to smile for you.
2. Arm Weakness, or even leg, the person can feel unexpected weakness or numbness in their body, and on one side of the body. Ask the person if they are able to raise both their arms over their head.
3. Speech Difficulty, the person may slur their words or have a difficult time speaking, so ask them to repeat their words.
4. A severe headache, that comes on unexpectedly and may be combined with some of the other stroke symptoms.
5. Confusion, the person may be unable to understand people or be able to say what they are thinking.
6. Changes in vision, the person may suddenly experience double vision, or blindness in one eye or both.
7. Balance or coordination problems, ask the person to walk in a straight line or try to touch their nose.
The American Stroke Association says to identify the symptoms of stroke remember the word FAST which stands for:
F = FACE DROOPING
A = ARMS ARE THEY ABLE TO RAISE BOTH
S = SPEECH DIFFICULTY
T = TIME TO CALL AN AMBULANCE
Knowing this information is life saving when a person is in the midst of a stroke and time is of the essence. So please share this article with your loved ones and friends. When we know what to do in the case of a stroke we don’t panic. Instead we are able to help quickly and effectively. God Bless!
