Know the Signs of a Stroke

July 2017

During a stroke, every minute counts. Receiving treatment quickly can lessen stroke-related brain damage.

Signs of Stroke

  • Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or difficulty understanding speech
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or lack of coordination
  • Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Do the following simple test:

  • F-Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
  • A-Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  • S-Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?
  • T-Time: If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.

Don’t drive to the hospital or let someone else drive you. Call an ambulance so that medical personnel can begin life-saving treatment on the way to the emergency room.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

For additional articles on this topic, visit www.mygnp.com.

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