The F.A.S.T. test can be used as a quick screening tool ARMS FACE — Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downwards? “<* SPEECH Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? ae Ce |i led TY Act F.A.S.T.—Know The Signs & Symptoms Of A Stroke (NAPSA)—Every four minutes in the United States, a stroke vic- tim dies—but knowing the signs and symptoms to watch for can help reduce death from stroke and improve outcomes by getting peo- ple appropriate and timely care. Thefifth leading cause of death and the leading cause of serious long-term disability in the United States, stroke affects 800,000 peo- ple every year. Unfortunately, many Americans do not recognize the signs of a stroke, so they ignore the symptomsor don’t call 9-1-1. Recognizing the signs and acting immediately could be the difference between making a recovery andliving with long-term disability. What You Should Know A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries blood and oxygen to the brain is blocked by plaque or a blood clot (acute ischemic stroke) or ruptures and bleeds (hemorrhagic stroke). The apparent signs and symptoms of stroke include speech impairment, arm numbness and weakness, severe headache, sudden confu- sion, trouble seeing out of one or both eyes, as well as uncontrollable drooping of the face. There are several typesof risk factors for stroke, some of which are hereditary while others are pre- ventable by altering one’slifestyle choices. Some of these risk factors include smoking andthe use of tobacco, eating an unhealthy diet, consuming alcohol in excessive amounts, and a lack of daily exercise. Recognizing and understanding the signs and symptoms of a stroke is crucial. Immediate medical attention may limit the effects of a stroke, so it’s imperative to call 9-1-1 at the first sign. Always Act F.A.S.T. If you or someone you know begins to show signs or symptoms of a stroke, there’s a four-letter acronym, “F.A.S.T.,” that corre- sponds to a test that can be used as a quick screeningtool: *F=FACE, loss of function on one side of your face, which may look like drooping A=ARMS, sudden weakness on one side, which may mean you can’t hold the arm up S=SPEECH, as in slurred speech T=TIME, meaningit’s time to call 9-1-1 right away. If a person shows any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 or get toa hospital immediately. Learn More For further facts and advice about stroke, visit www.stroke awareness.com/strokecall911. ween eee ene eee HOWE eee eee e ee Note to Editors: While this article can be helpful to your readers at any time, a good time to run it may be in May, which is Stroke Awareness Month.
