Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death and the No. 1 cause of long-term disability in America, and every minute counts to help reduce the long-term damage associated with stroke. Recognizing stroke symptoms is key and getting the right care quickly is critical.
The word "FAST" is an easy way to remember the signs and symptoms of stroke.
F – FACE, ask the person to smile. Is there a droop on one side (an uneven smile)?
A – ARM, ask the person to raise both arms with their eyes closed. Does one arm drift down because of weakness? Is there arm numbness?
S – SPEECH, ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Can he/she repeat it? Is speech slurred or difficult to understand?
T – TIME, call 911 and get to a hospital/stroke center immediately. The faster treatment is administered, the better the outcome.
Sudden stroke symptoms may also include:
- numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- confusion
- trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- severe headache without a known cause
Even though stroke victims often do not report feeling any pain, stroke is always a very serious condition, and it is important to get to the hospital as soon as possible.
It is always preferred to call 911 versus driving the patient, as emergency medical personnel can initiate treatment in the field.
Transient ischemic attacks
During a transient ischemic attack (TIA), you may experience one or more stroke symptoms for a short period of time, and then feel better. However, TIAs are a strong warning sign for future major strokes, so you should still immediately call 911 and go to the hospital.
At SSM stroke centers, doctors will perform tests to determine the cause of your TIA, and suggest treatment that may help prevent a major stroke in the near future.
To learn your risk for stroke, take our 1-minute risk assessment.