Minutes matter in stroke care. A person who receives emergency care within 60 minutes has a significantly better chance of survival and recovery. Although stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death, many people are unaware of the warning signs. Fewer than 5% of people make it to a hospital in time to receive optimal care.
Stroke Warning Signs:
Sudden weakness and/or numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding others
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Symptoms may go away and return
Call 911 immediately!
Act FAST - Use this acronym to check for signs of stroke:
F is for Face. Ask the Person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A is for Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S is for Slur. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred?
T is for Time. If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important. Call 911 immediately.