A news service from AdvocateAuroraHealth
Stroke is the fifth top cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States, according to the American Stroke Association.
Strokes occur when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked by a clot or ruptures. But a stroke’s symptoms aren’t associated with pain, which may cause you to disregard the symptoms as something serious. A characteristic that all stroke symptoms have is that they begin suddenly and are severe.
“Timely recognition of a stroke is important to allow for possible interventions,” says Megan Heppe, a nurse practitioner at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center. “Early detection and quickly getting to the hospital is important. We have a saying that ‘time is brain,’ which means human nervous tissue is rapidly lost as the stroke progresses.”
The following are classic symptoms of stroke:
- Problems with speech or comprehension
- Numbness or drooping on one side of the face
- Numbness or weakness on one side of the body
- Difficulty walking or balancing
- Vision problems
- A sharp or severe headache
- Dizziness
- Trouble swallowing
The National Stroke Association also has an easy strategy to assess if someone is experiencing a stroke:
FACE – Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop?
ARMS – Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward.
SPEECH – Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
TIME – If you observe any of these symptoms, it’s time to call 911 or your local emergency services immediately.
If you think you or someone you know is having a stroke, act FAST.
This article originally appeared on health enews.
