Know the signs of a stroke Stroke symptoms come on suddenly, and every minute counts. Know the signs and immediately call 911 to get emergency medical treatment to help prevent disability or even death. What is a stroke? A stroke happens when oxygen-filled blood can’t reach parts of your brain due to a clot, narrowed blood vessels or a burst blood vessel that leaks blood into and around the brain. Strokes kill roughly 2 million brain cells during every minute of a stroke. Strokes can cause death, or they may cause paralysis and weakness, usually on one side of the body, along with problems with thinking, speech, memory, learning and more. Common stroke signs and symptoms Here’s what to watch for: ● Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg— particularly if it’s just on one side of the body. ● Sudden trouble speaking, difficulty understanding speech or confusion. ● Sudden problems seeing with one or both eyes, including vision loss, double vision, loss of peripheral vision or eyes that drift to one side. ● Sudden drowsiness. ● Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, difficulty walking, or falling. ● Sudden nausea or vomiting. Stroke symptoms can last for a few minutes or hours. Even if the symptoms don’t last long, call for help. These short-lived “warning strokes” could be followed by a major stroke within hours or days. Remember to act F.A.S.T. and B.E. F.A.S.T. To help remember the most common signs of a stroke, use these acronyms: F.A.S.T. F = Face drooping. When smiling, does one side of the face droop? A = Arm weakness. When raising both arms, does one arm drift downward? S = Speech difficulty. When repeating a simple phrase, is the speech slurred, slow or strange? T = Time to call 911. If you see any of these signs, call for emergency help right away. B.E. F.A.S.T. Some experts add the acronym “B.E.” before “F.A.S.T.” to remember these additional signs: B = Balance loss. Has the person fallen because they’ve lost their balance? E = Eyesight change. Have they lost vision, or do they have other vision problems? Don’t drive: Call 911 Don’t drive yourself or someone else to the hospital if you suspect a stroke. An emergency medical team can arrive faster and immediately begin lifesaving treatment. Plus, the team can alert the hospital so they can be prepared. Every minute counts. Spot a stroke F.A.S.T. to save a life and prevent long-term problems. Sources: AARP; American College of Emergency Physicians; American Stroke Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Institute on Aging Make an appointment If you are not experiencing an emergency but would like to speak with a provider about health concerns, call the phone number on the back of your ID card or visit www.kerncountyhealthbenefits.com to find a contracted provider on your Kern Legacy Health Plan.
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