What is a Stroke?
According to the American Stroke Association a stoke is very similar to cardiovascular disease. It affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. A stroke can occur when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When this happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen that it needs, so the brain will start to die.
Here are 3 simple questions to ask the person if a stroke is suspected:
- Ask the person to smile
- Ask them to raise their arms and keep them up
- Ask them to repeat a simple sentence
The National Stroke Association has the Act FAST response to a stroke:
*F*ace: Ask the person to smile, does one side droop?
*A*rms: Ask them to raise both arms, does one side drift downward?
*S*peech: Ask them to repeat a sentence. Can they do so correctly without slurring?
*T*ime: If you suspect someone is having a stroke, get them to a hospital ASAP! You have a limited amount of time before the effects of a stroke are irreversible!
**Remember TIME is of the essence in the person who may be having a stroke. Get to the hospital ASAP. There is medicine available that may be able to stop the stroke or even reverse the effects of a stroke.
April 21st, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Thanks for that great piece of information.
April 21st, 2009 at 2:38 pm
This is great information. My Dad had a major stroke 9 years ago, went in a coma and stayed in the hospital for months.
I am so appreciative that to say that it was 9 years ago and he’s still here.
April 21st, 2009 at 4:29 pm
I have also heard to ask the person to stick out their tongue. If the tongue is ‘crooked’, if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.
April 22nd, 2009 at 9:30 am
wonderful INFORMATION! I am a nurse, and my mom DID have a stroke! I went to her house to pick her up for church one Sunday.
Her face was droopy,
1.I asked her to “Whistle”, she could NOT!
Arms were not affected
Speech was slurred.
Got her to the ER PRONTO!!!
NO effects!!!
Do NOT waste time!!!!
GREAT information!!!
This could SAVE a life!
Leslie
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:57 am
As a Nurse who has worked in Intensive Care I can tell you that It is sooo important to NOT sit @ home thinking “This will go away soon….” – women are the WORST about taking care of themselves, and don’t take their symptoms seriously. I have seen the medication work, reversing stroke symptoms but—you have to give it in a short window of time! Please – go to your nearest ER if you even THINK you are having a STROKE!
1955nursehjc4me@myway.com
April 23rd, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Wonderful information!!!