May is National Stroke Awareness Month: Know the Signs

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and it’s a great opportunity to become reacquainted with the signs of a stroke.

According to the Center for Disease Control, someone in the US suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, and someone in the US dies because of a stroke every 3.5 minutes, on average. For those who survive, stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability for Americans 65 and older. That’s why it’s critical to know the signs of a stroke to get help quickly - in a medical emergency, every second truly counts.

What are the signs of a stroke?

A helpful tool for remembering the signs of a stroke is F.A.S.T.:

• F: Face Drooping - Ask the person to smile. Is their face symmetrical? A sagging smile can be a telltale sign of a stroke.
• A: Arm Weakness - Ask the person to raise both arms. Are they able to raise both arms effectively?
• S: Speech Difficulty - Ask the person to repeat a short sentence. Are they struggling to find the words or slurring their speech?
• T: Time to Call 9-1-1 - If the person you are evaluating struggles with any of the above tests, do not hesitate to call 9-1-1. Prompt treatment of a stroke is imperative for survival and recovery.

Other symptoms may include:

• Sudden trouble with balance
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden severe headache
• Sudden numbness in the face, arms, or legs

If you think you or someone else is experiencing a stroke, it’s important to act F.A.S.T.! Call 9-1-1 immediately, and tell them you suspect the individual is having a stroke. This allows first responders to react quickly with life-saving interventions en route to the hospital and alert emergency personnel in the ER that a stroke patient is incoming.