Memorize These Stroke Signs to Save a Life
Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death and the most common cause of disability in the United States. If you believe you are having a stroke, it is crucial to seek treatment to prevent brain damage immediately. Remembering this acronym can save you or your loved one’s life.
Why It’s Vital to B.E. F.A.S.T.
In the United States, a patient has a stroke every 40 seconds. About 610,000 of these are first-time strokes annually, which means many loved ones may not know what to look out for.
There are few things scarier than watching a loved one experience a health emergency, and though you can’t predict when a stroke will occur, being prepared can save a life. Use these six identifiers to tell the signs of a stroke:
- Balance. Is there a sudden loss of balance or coordination?
- Eyes. Is the person having a sudden change in vision or trouble seeing?
- Face is drooping. Typically during a stroke, one side of a person’s face will begin to fall or appear paralyzed.
- Arm weakness. It’s common for one arm to be more difficult to raise than the other.
- Speech difficulty. Is the person’s speech slurred or slow?
- Time to call 911. If you notice or experience even one of the above symptoms, it’s important to contact 911 right away.
Why Emergency Stroke Care is Vital
Ischemic strokes make up 85 percent of all strokes in the United States and occur when a vessel in the brain ruptures or is blocked by a blood clot. This prevents your brain’s tissue from getting the oxygen and nutrients it needs. If parts of your brain are without oxygen for even just a few minutes, brain cells can begin to die — making emergency care vital.
Additional fast facts regarding strokes and the importance of emergency care include:
- In 2018, 1 in every 6 deaths from cardiovascular disease was due to stroke.
- Strokes are one of the leading causes of serious long-term disability.
- A stroke reduces mobility in more than half of stroke survivors age 65 and over.
If administered within three hours of their first symptoms, treatment for a stroke can significantly improve a person’s chances of recovering.
Read More: 8 Unexpected Causes of Stroke
Paris & Greenville Stroke Treatment
If you believe you are having a stroke, it is important to seek treatment immediately in order to prevent brain damage. When you arrive at Quality Care ER for stroke treatment, we will work to both treat your ongoing stroke and work to prevent future strokes from occurring.
Prevention is one of our major focuses, and we believe it is important to treat the underlying cause of the stroke. This may include certain medications or recommendations for lifestyle and diet changes. After recovering from a stroke, rehabilitation may be necessary in order to achieve long-term recovery and return to your healthy life.
For more information on treatment options, contact us online or give us a call at (903) 417-0886.
