Most people in the U.S. are unaware of the warning signs of a stroke or what to do when one happens. Stroke is an emergency and should be treated as such. A stroke is a brain attack that occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. Brain cells begin to die.
Recognizing stroke symptoms can be easy if you remember to think FAST:
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. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?
T= Time If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 9-1-1.
