Learn Symptoms of Stroke
Prompt treatment is the key to preventing death and disability when someone has a stroke. A simple acronym can help people recognize the early warning signs of stroke and improve response times: F.A.S.T.
Remember to act FAST
FACE: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb?
ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Is one arm weak or numb?
SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand?
TIME: If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important. Call 911 or get to the hospital fast.
Today, thanks to early detection, aggressive treatment and new intervention therapies, more stroke patients than ever are returning to normal life with limited to no disabilities.
Time is brain
and brain matters.
–Beth Gladney, R.N.
NorthBay Healthcare helps to spread the word on recognizing stroke symptoms and acting quickly. “The faster you get to a hospital and the faster you get treatment, the more you improve outcomes after a stroke,” explained Beth Gladney, R.N., NorthBay Healthcare’s Stroke Program manager. “Time is brain and brain matters.”
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 800,000 Americans will suffer a stroke this year.
What is a Stroke?
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or it bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs.
So the brain begins to die.
The brain is an extremely complex organ that controls various body functions. If a stroke occurs and blood flow can’t reach the region that controls a particular body function, that part of the body won’t work as it should. So it is critical that patients get to a hospital as soon as possible.
NorthBay Healthcare is certified as a primary stroke center by The Joint Commission and has earned the “Silver-Plus” designation from the American Heart/American Stroke Association.