Be prepared * Signs of a stroke
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in adults. About 600,000 new strokes are reported in the U.S. each year. The good news is that treatments are available that can greatly reduce the damage caused by a stroke. However, you need to recognize the symptoms of a stroke and get to a hospital quickly. Getting treatment within 60 minutes can prevent disability.
What is a stroke? * When blood flow to the brain is interrupted, brain cells in the immediate area begin to die because they stop getting the oxygen and nutrients they need to function. A stroke can be caused by a blood clot blocking blood flow, or a rupture of the blood vessel, causing bleeding.
Symptoms to look for *
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body)
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
What YOU can do * Call 911 if you are with someone who has any of those symptoms.
While there are some “quick tests” you can use to determine whether there’s been a stroke, those have not been endorsed by the American Stroke Association. But – because they fit the symptoms, go ahead and use them. Be able to report what you saw to emergency responders.
- Ask the person to smile.
- Ask the person to raise both arms.
- Ask the person to speak a simple sentence.
- Ask the person to stick out their tongue (it should be straight, not crooked).
Again – look for trouble walking, speaking, and/or seeing; headache; numbness; or dizziness. And do not hesitate to call 911.
