Posted May 12, 2015
According to the American Heart Association, one out of six people will suffer a stroke in his or her lifetime. One out of six! How many people do you know? Now think about more than 15 percent of them having a stroke. That's a lot of people, and part of the reason why stroke is the third cause of death in women.
You can help, though.
During a stroke, time is brain. Spotting the signs of a stroke and acting quickly might make the difference between life and death or between full recovery and permanent disability.
You need to act FAST:
F: FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A: ARM: Have the person raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S: SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred?
T: TIME: You need to act quickly. If you observe any of these signs, call 911 immediately.
This month is American Stroke Month. Now is the perfect time to increase awareness of stroke for yourself and your family and friends. Remember, anyone can have a stroke. Learn the stroke warning signs and be prepared to use them; you could save a life.
