When it comes to stroke symptoms, BE FAST

Date
May 1, 2022

Sometimes It’s OK to Overreact

It’s easy to confuse a heart attack with a stroke. Especially if you or a loved one think you’re having one.

Heart attacks and strokes are both caused by blood flow issues: one affects the heart (heart attack) and one affects the brain (stroke).

A heart attack is just that: an attack on the heart. This happens when the flow of blood to the heart is blocked.

And stroke is an attack on the brain. It occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, causing loss of brain tissue.

While both are extremely serious and require emergency medical attention, it’s important to understand the earliest signs of a stroke so you can seek treatment as soon as possible.

Every minute matters

If you or someone you know may be having a stroke, time is of the essence. But why?

“Any person having a stroke loses two million nerve cells for every minute,” according to Muhammad Akhtar, MD, FACP, a neurology specialist at Adena. “That could result in permanent disability, like paralysis, speech or vision loss. Every delayed minute in treatment can add up to significant permanent disability, so getting to hospital early really can be a lifesaver.”

Know the warning signs

When it comes to early signs of a stroke, it pays to BE FAST:

B – Balance

Does the person suddenly lose balance or coordination?

E – Eyes

Does the person have sudden blurred or double vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes?

F – Face

Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A – Arm

Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S – Speech

Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are their words slurred? Can they repeat the sentence correctly?

T – Time

If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important. Call 911 or get to the hospital fast.

Other stroke symptoms may include:

  • Numbness or weakness of an arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • Confusion or trouble understanding speech
  • Trouble walking, dizziness or loss of coordination
  • Severe headache with no known cause

Types of stroke

There are different types of strokes:

  • Ischemic stroke (Clots) – is the most common type, which accounts for about 87% of all strokes. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain is obstructed.
  • Hemorrhagic stroke (Bleeds) – happens when a weakened blood vessel ruptures. The two types of weakened blood vessels that usually cause hemorrhagic stroke are aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). The most common cause of hemorrhagic stroke is high blood pressure.
  • TIA (transient ischemic attack) – is a mini-stroke caused by a temporary clot. Don’t let the “mini” fool you. A mini-stroke is a very serious warning sign that another stroke may be on the way.

What to do if you are high risk

Certain risk factors for stroke you can’t control, such as:

  • Age (stroke is more common in older adults).
  • A family history of stroke.
  • Race (African Americans are at higher risk).
  • Gender (women have more strokes than men).
  • A previous medical history of heart attacks, TIAs or strokes.

If you are at high risk of a stroke, it’s important to have regular follow-up appointments with your primary care provider and work to control certain risk factors, such as:

  • Keeping your blood pressure in the normal range
  • Quitting smoking
  • Keeping your blood sugar (glucose) in the normal range
  • Getting treatment for heart disease
  • Keeping your cholesterol levels in the normal range
  • Controlling your weight
  • Getting regular exercise
  • Eating a healthy diet

Knowing helps you be more prepared

If you think you or someone around you may be having a stroke symptom, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

“Identifying stroke symptoms is crucial for proper treatment, says Dr. Akhtar. “Acute stroke treatments are time-dependent. Someone suffering from stroke can be treated within the vital 3-4 hour window with a clot-dissolving medication called Tpa (also known as a clot-buster). Earlier treatment results in a greater chance of recovery, a reduced likelihood of permanent disability and lesser need for extensive rehabilitation.”

If you suspect you or another person are experiencing a stroke, call 911 and get help immediately. The stroke team at Adena, in collaboration with OSU stroke neurologists, treat patients with a range of therapy options to help each patient work toward recovery. Adena Regional Medical Center (ARMC) is certified as a Primary Stroke Center and has an established protocol, providing fast treatments to greatly reduce chances of long-term disability.