Stroke

A stroke or "brain attack" is when plaque or emboli (blood clots) blocks blood flow to parts of the brain. This causes a stroke. Without oxygen-rich blood, that part of the brain dies. When this happens, brain damage occurs. How your body is affected depends on which part of the brain was affected. Some people have trouble speaking. Others have paralysis and cannot use an affected arm, cannot walk or remember how to accomplish simple tasks. Others may die. Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the United States. All strokes are considered an emergency and need medical care.

A simple test developed by the National Stroke Association can help you detect stroke symptoms and Act F.A.S.T.:

F = FACE Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A = ARMS Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S = SPEECH Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?
T = TIME If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 9-1-1 or get to the nearest stroke center or hospital.

If you are having a stroke, the greatest chance of having recovery with treatment occurs within 3 hours of the onset of symptoms. This means there is NO TIME TO WASTE when considering whether or not to seek treatment.

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