Understanding and being aware of the warnings signs of a stroke — as well as acting F.A.S.T — could save a life and make recovery easier for the survivor.
F.A.ST. stands for FACE, ARM, SPEECH, TIME:
F
Is one side of the face dropping? Look at their eye, cheek or lips to check for any unusual asymmetry or droopiness.
A
Is the person experiencing arm weakness? Ask them to raise both arms to shoulder height and check for one arm that seems lower than the other.
S
Is the person's speech slurred, or are they speaking in an unintelligible way?
T
It's time to call 911 or your local emergency services. Be sure to tell them you think it's a stroke.
Other important warning signs to be aware of are:
- The person seems to be having trouble understanding you or speaking coherently.
- The person appears to be confused, have trouble seeing or walking.
- The person is experiencing a painful headache.
- The person is experiencing numbness on their face, arm, legs, or a specific side of their body.
