You could be having a stroke if you experience:
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg
Sudden confusion, or trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Stroke is an Emergency
Every minute counts. BE F.A.S.T!
Balance - Is the person suddenly having trouble with balance or coordination?
Eyes - Is the person experiencing suddenly blurred or double vision or a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes?
Face – Does one side of the face droop? Ask the person to smile.
Arms – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech – Is speech slurred? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Is the sentence repeated correctly?
Time – If the person shows any of these symptoms. Call 911 and have the ambulance go to the nearest certified stroke center.
You are at greater risk of having a stroke if you:
- Have atrial fibrillation
- Have high blood pressure
- Smoke cigarettes
- Have high cholesterol
- Have diabetes
- Have heart or blood vessel disease
- Are age 55 or older
- Have had a stroke or TIA
- Have sickle cell disease
- Have a high red blood cell count
- Take birth control medication
- Have a sedentary lifestyle
- Abused drugs recently