May is recognized as Stroke Awareness Month and the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association have provided a useful acronym to keep in mind to help people act FAST when a stroke is suspected. Remembering the acronym ‘F.A.S.T’ can help people recognize the signs of a stroke.
‘F’ stands for Face; if a person suddenly has drooping on one side of their face, this is a telltale sign that a stroke may be occurring. The ‘A’ in the acronym stands for Arm; it could be a warning sign if someone reports sudden weakness in one arm. The ‘S’ stands for speech since slurred speech is another key sign of a stroke.
The final letter ‘T’ stands for time to call 9-1-1, which is what you should do immediately if an individual is exhibiting any of these warning signs.
Neurologist Dr. Jeffrey Hillburn mentioned that in most cases, a stroke is treatable but time is of the essence. Dr. Hillburn explained that strokes cause blood flow to be cut off from the brain. Every minute it goes untreated, millions of brain cells die, which is why it is vital to contact 911 if any person shows symptoms of a stroke.
Dr. Hillburn added that every year, nearly 800,000 people have a stroke but officials are working to educate people that strokes, just like heart disease, are preventable.
Since high blood pressure is one major risk factor, Hillburn said people should take time to get their blood pressure checked and talk with their physician about how to keep it under control. Other preventive measures include quitting tobacco use, exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
