Written by
Dan-Victor Giurgiutiu, MD, Interventional Neurologist
Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death in the United States, and the number one cause
of serious long-term disability. It’s important that people in our
community know the signs and symptoms of stroke – so they can Act
F.A.S.T. to limit its impact.
F.A.S.T. stands for:
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FACE drooping
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ARM weakness
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SPEECH difficulty
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TIME to call 911
It’s easy to remember, and easy to put into practice. You can quickly
check someone for stroke symptoms using the FAST method:
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Face - Ask the person to smile and see if their face looks uneven, with
one side drooping.
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Arms - Ask the person to raise both arms and see if one arm is weak or drifts downward.
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Speech - Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase and listen for slurred
or strange speech.
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Time - Time is the single most important part of FAST. If you witness a
friend or loved one exhibiting any of these symptoms, you should call
911 immediately. By acting
FAST, you can play a major role in minimizing the impact of a stroke.
It’s critical that you don’t hesitate. Because in the case
of stroke, every minute counts — and “time lost is brain lost.” The faster a patient gets transported to the emergency room following
the onset of stroke symptoms, the better their chances for survival and
a positive long-term outcome. When a patient arrives at the hospital quickly
after the onset of stroke symptoms there are several effective treatment
options we can use that may not be possible if people wait to call 911
and treatment is delayed. Quick response and rapid treatment are key factors
in limiting long-term disability from stroke.
Please share these important facts with your loved ones. If we all Act
F.A.S.T. we can minimize the impact of strokes in our community and live
healthier, together.