American Heart Association Brings Awareness to American Stroke Month
To recognize May as American Stroke Month, the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association (www.heart.org) are encouraging people to learn the signs of stroke, as strokes can be preventable and treatable although it is the No. 5 killer in the United States. The sudden signs of stroke can be easy to recognize using F.A.S.T., which is:
- Face drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?
- Arm weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- Speech difficulty: Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?
- Time: If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately because quicker treatment can lead to a quicker recovery. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared.
Stroke victims need people who can recognize the signs of stroke as rapid reaction can be the difference between full recovery and permanent damage. By learning the signs of stroke today, you could save the life of someone who is experiencing a potentially deadly stroke emergency. Anyone can experience a stroke regardless of age.
The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association are devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit heart.org.