Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, but there is good news. 80 percent of strokes are preventable and damage from a stroke can be limited, but only if you know the warning signs and act quickly to get yourself or someone in distress to the hospital. Every minute counts, so knowing what to look for is critical.

A stroke, sometimes referred to as a brain attack, is a medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is drastically reduced or interrupted. This happens when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or is blocked. When the brain cells stop receiving oxygen and nutrients from the blood, they begin to die. This is when brain damage begins to occur, and it takes only a matter of minutes. Swift treatment is crucial to avoid severe brain damage and other serious complications. Some complications of a stroke can include speech, memory, and movement impairment.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms and think you might be having a stroke, it’s crucial that you seek out immediate medical care at a hospital. The faster you get professional help, the more likely your chances for a full recovery. Every minute makes a difference. Watch for these telltale signs of a stroke:

• One-Sided Paralysis or Numbness. Sudden weakness, tingling, numbness, or paralysis of the face, arm, or leg - especially on just one side, is a sign of a stroke. A good test is to raise both arms over your head. If one arm starts to fall and you are unable to control it, this is a sign that you are having a stroke.
• Sudden Sense of Confusion. If you have difficulty putting words together, feel confused, and cannot express how you are feeling, these are signs of a stroke. Try formulating a simple sentence: if you are unable to, you need to get to a hospital.
• Difficulty Seeing. Blurred vision, lack of vision, or double vision are all signs of a problem.
• Sudden Sense of Dizziness. A lack of coordination, dizziness, or trouble walking are all symptoms of a stroke.
• Headache: If you experience a headache that comes on suddenly and is more severe or feels different than past headaches, this is a warning sign. People describe a pre-stroke headache as arriving “out of the blue”; it is often accompanied by vomiting.

If you suspect that someone is having a stroke, you don’t have time to run through a lengthy or confusing checklist of symptoms. Remember, every minute counts; you need to act F.A.S.T.

This acronym, created by the National Stroke Association, can help a bystander quickly recognize if a person is having a stroke:

• Face: Ask the individual to smile. Does part of their face droop?
• Arms: Have the person raise both arms. Does one fall down?
• Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence back to you. Do they have trouble with this task?
• Time: If the individual has trouble with any of the above challenges, get them to a hospital immediately. Time is of the essence.

What to Do If Someone Is Having a Stroke

If you notice that someone is exhibiting the signs of a stroke, you must dial 911 immediately to get them to a hospital. The faster they can receive medical treatment, the greater their chances are for recovery.

Once it becomes clear that someone is having a stroke, the next step is swift diagnosis and intervention; this increases the chances for a full and complete recovery. Once at the hospital, the patient will undergo a physical and neurological exam. Lab work including blood and urine tests will be performed, as well as brain imaging. The most common types of brain imagining include:

• CAT Scan: This is a highly specialized type of X-ray that provides a 3-D image of the brain, its vessels, and the blood flow of the vessels to the brain. CAT scans are useful to diagnose brain abnormalities as well as strokes. Sometimes a dye is used to provide contrast for the images.
• MRI: An MRI is a test that uses radio waves and a magnetic field to obtain 3-D images of the brain. It helps doctors locate which area of the brain suffered damage from the stroke.
• Cerebral Arteriography: A doctor may wish to perform a cerebral arteriogram, which is a specialized X-ray that is taken of the brain’s arteries after they have been injected with a dye. The dye is injected into the carotid artery (an artery in the neck) via a catheter that has been carefully threaded from the groin area. This test is especially helpful if others tests have not revealed the cause of the stroke, because it shows arteries in the brain that normal X-rays do not reveal. The hope is that this X-ray will reveal any blocked or abnormal arteries in the brain.
• Carotid Ultrasound: In this procedure, an ultrasound machine sends high-frequency sound waves into neck tissues (the carotid arteries). The machine produces images that are transmitted onto a screen. These images will reveal if there is any clotting or narrowing of the carotid arteries.

Conclusion

With swift action, the devastating effects of a stroke can be mitigated. If you suspect that your or someone you know is having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and get emergency medical attention immediately.