HealthyPlusFeb15spreads - Flipbook - Page 23
Stroke Prevention is Possible
Think F.A.S.T.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 80% of strokes can
be prevented through the following actions:
How to spot a stroke—
and potentially save a life
S
troke is the leading cause of disability and the fifth cause of death in the
United States today. The most serious consequences can be prevented with
prompt treatment.
A stroke comes without
warning and can happen
to anyone of any age or
gender. During a stroke,
every second matters.
Fast treatment can
lessen the damage to the
brain. Treatments work
best when the stroke is
recognized and diagnosed
within 3 hours of the first
symptoms.
Learning to recognize
the signs and calling 911
immediately can help
prevent the damaging,
or even fatal, effects of
a stroke.
Know the signs
To check for the most common symptoms of a stroke in yourself or
others, think F.A.S.T.
F=FACE
A=ARMS
S=SPEECH
T=TIME TO CALL911
Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask
the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven?
Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to
raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Is speech slurred? Ask the person to repeat a
simple phrase to check for slurred speech.
If the answer to ANY
of these questions is
“yes,” call 911 immediately and write down the time when symptoms
first started.
It’s important to not waste time calling a doctor or driving the person
to the ER. The ambulance workers can assess the care needed and
determine best place for care.
Stroke Stats
25% of strokes occur under the age of 65.
The risk of stroke more than doubles each decade after the age of 55.
Around 25% of people who recover from their first stroke will have another within 5 years.
80% of strokes are preventable.
Nearly
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Keep your blood pressure in check
Quit smoking
Maintain a healthy weight
Limit alcohol
Other symptoms worth noting
While the face, arm and speech symptoms noted
above are the most common indicators of a
stroke, other sudden changes that could indicate
a stroke include:
• Numbness or weakness in your face, arm,
or leg, especially on one side
• Confusion or trouble understanding
other people
• Difficulty speaking
• Trouble seeing with one or
both eyes
• Problems walking or
staying balanced or
coordinated
• Dizziness
• Severe and
sudden headache
• Exercise five times a week
• If you have diabetes or atrial
fibrillation, work with your doctor
to keep it under control
If your symptoms go away after a few
minutes, you may have had a transient ischemic
attack (TIA), or “mini stroke.” While TIAs may
pass quickly, they can be a sign of a serious
condition that will not go away without medical
help. If you or someone else experiences these
sudden symptoms, call 911. +
Learning to
recognize
the signs and
calling 911
immediately
can help
prevent the
damaging,
or even fatal,
effects of
a stroke.
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