In the United States, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds. About every 3.25 minutes, someone dies of a stroke. This National Stroke Awareness Month, learn the warning signs of a stroke so that you and your loved ones can seek help immediately.

Annually, nearly 800,000 people in the U.S. suffer a stroke. A stroke occurs when blood flow in the brain is disrupted by a blockage or bleeding.

“Strokes are a medical emergency and need to be evaluated as soon as possible,” said Aultman Stroke Coordinator Ashley McConnell, BSN, RN. “Every minute counts when a person is experiencing a stroke.”

Every minute a stroke goes untreated, an average of 1.9 million of the brain’s neurons die. Neurons are responsible for communication between the brain and the body, so the longer a stroke goes untreated, the greater the impact.

Early treatment is essential for higher survival rates and lower disability rates after stroke. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), patients who arrive at the emergency room within three hours of their first symptoms often have less disability three months after a stroke than those who receive delayed care.

BE FAST – Call 911

An easy way to remember stroke symptoms is the acronym BE FAST, which is also a reminder to call 911 immediately when you notice stroke symptoms:

• Balance. Is there a sudden loss of balance or coordination?
• Eyes. Is the person having double vision or vision loss?
• Face. Is one side of the face drooping?
• Arm. Is one arm weaker than the other?
• Speech. Is the person experiencing slurred speech or difficulty getting words out?
• Time. If these symptoms are present, it’s time to act! Call 911 immediately.

Additional Stroke Signs and Symptoms

Other stroke signs and symptoms that require immediate attention are:

• Weakness on one side of the body.
• Trouble speaking or understanding speech.
• Vision changes.
• Loss of or decreased sensation on one side of the body.
• Sudden dizziness.
• Trouble walking or loss of balance while walking.

For more information about stroke, visit the American Stroke Association’s website.

Sources:
American Stroke Association
Aultman Health System
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The StayWell Company, LLC