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Recognize the Symptoms of Stroke

ChristinaJ | Oct 5, 2009 |

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Identifying a person who is having a stroke is not always as easy as it may sound. Some stroke symptoms, such as slurred speech are very clear, others are not as clear. Although there are many symptoms associated with a stroke, the medical industry has narrowed it down to several clear indicators to look for. Whether you experience these symptoms yourself or observe them in others, staying alert to them can save lives.

The easiest way to remember the most important stroke symptoms, listed below, is by using the acronym F.A.S.T.

Face- Can the person smile? If so, is one side of their face drooping? This is an important indicator as sometimes the person does not even realize they are experiencing facial numbness or paralysis.
Arm - Can the person lift their arms completely over their head without experiencing any pain? Can they hold their arms in that position for several seconds? If a person is having a stroke, one arm will fall by itself and the person will not be able to control it, or raise it back up.
Speech - Can the person talk clearly? Are they slurring their words? Also watch for people whose speech is clear, but their words are slightly jumbled or out of order. Try repeating a very common phrase or sentence to see if there is any difficulty pronouncing the words.
Time- Although this is not a symptom, it is important enough to list. If a person is experiencing any of the above symptoms, or if you even suspect that something is wrong with them, call 911 immediately.

One often overlooked symptom is a mini stroke called transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). These can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours and are characterized by the above symptoms but can come and go. Because the symptoms go away after a short time the person believes they are fine. Do not ignore these as they are an early warning sign of a stroke that, if treated, can prevent a more severe one later on. Note that not all major strokes are preceded by a TIA.

The above symptoms are all too often overlooked, especially in elderly patients. This is because the elderly frequently complain of general pain and often get words or phrases jumbled. In this age group it is even more important to be vigilant for symptoms and to be on the safe side by seeking medical even if you aren't sure a stroke is occurring.

The good news is that if stoke is detected early enough, usually within four to six hours, it can be treated and the person has a very good chance of recovering completely.