Stroke Awareness
The National Stroke Awareness Month is run by the National Stroke Association and helps individuals ‘Save A Life‘ by educating them about Stroke Awareness Month. It is also a timely reminder of stroke survivors and how organizations support stroke survivors through their lifelong journey. The National Stroke Association stated that a person experiencing a stroke can be treated if people have acted FAST – 80% of strokes can also be prevented. What is Fast? Down below is a description of what you need to be aware of.
FAST is an acronym for things to check in a suspected stroke victim:
· F – Face / Does the face droop on one side when the person smiles?
· A – Arm / After raising both arms, does one of the arms drifts downwards?
· S – Speech / After repeating a simple phrase, does the person’s speech sound slurred or strange?
· T – Time / If any or all of the above are observed call 9-1-1 (if in the US or 999 in the UK) and ask for medical assistance.
What are other signs of stroke?
Watch for Sudden:
NUMBNESS or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
CONFUSION, trouble speaking or understanding speech
TROUBLE SEEING in one or both eyes
TROUBLE WALKING, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
SEVERE HEADACHE with no known cause
If you’re having any of these symptoms, it’s critical that you get medical attention right away. Immediate treatment may minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.