Act F.A.S.T.
F ace - Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A rms - Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S peech - Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can he/she repeat the sentence correctly?
T ime - If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important. Call 9-1-1 or get to the hospital fast. Brain cells are dying.
Stroke symptoms include:
* SUDDEN numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg—especially on one side of the body.
* SUDDEN confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
* SUDDEN trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
* SUDDEN trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
* SUDDEN severe headache with no known cause.
If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms above, call 9-1-1 immediately. Note the time the first symptom was experienced. This information is important to a healthcare provider and can affect treatment decisions.
If a person has experienced ANY of these symptoms, they may have had a TIA or mini-stroke.
* A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is an event, sometimes called a mini-stroke or stroke symptoms lasting less than 24 hours.
* While TIAs generally do not cause permanent brain damage, they are a serious warning sign of stroke and should not be ignored.
Act F.A.S.T. courtesy of the National Stroke Association
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