Strokes are the third most common cause of death in America today, and recognizing the warning signs can mean the difference between life and death. Occurring when a major blood vessel either ruptures or is blocked by a clot, when you or someone you know has a stroke, there is a three-hour window to prevent permanent damage to the brain due to lack of blood and oxygen. According to the Stroke Association, every 40 seconds someone in the United States suffers a stroke. When you feel or see one or more signs of stroke, call emergency personnel immediately.
Step 1
Ask if the person feels weakness or numbness in an arm, leg, or your face, usually on one side of the body.
Step 2
Question the person to see if they are confused, have trouble understanding things or have problems speaking clearly.
Step 3
Monitor whether the person is experiencing blurring or other vision problems in one or both eyes.
Step 4
Watch for signs of sudden dizziness, loss of balance, trouble walking or loss of coordination.
Step 5
Ask if the person has a severe sudden headache for no known reason.
Tips and Warnings
- Remember the stroke warning acronym F.A.S.T.: Face (ask the person to smile), Arms (ask them to raise their arms), Speech (ask them to talk) and Time (every second counts).
- A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a "mini stroke" in which the symptoms are the same, only temporary. This can be a warning that a major stroke is about to occur, so seek medical attention promptly.
