Every minute counts: the facts you need to know about stroke

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in adults. A stroke results when blood flow to the brain is interrupted and nearby cells die from a lack of oxygen and nutrients.

Treatments are available that can greatly minimize damage caused by a stroke—but you must recognize symptoms and get to a hospital immediately to avoid disability. Every minute counts.

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

The warning signs of a stroke have a quick onset, and include sudden:

• numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• confusion
• trouble speaking or understanding speech
• difficulty seeing in one or both eyes
• trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance/coordination
• severe headache with no known cause

If someone is having stroke symptoms, perform the FAST assessment:

(F)ace: Ask person to smile; look for facial droop and uneven smile.

(A)rms: Ask person to raise both arms. Can he/she do it evenly?

(S)peech: Ask person to say a simple sentence. Listen for slurred speech.

(T)ime: CALL 911 and get to the hospital immediately!


Am I at risk of having a stroke?

The following are stroke risk factors that can be minimized with medical treatment or lifestyle changes:

• High blood pressure: This is the number one cause of stroke. Know your blood pressure and have it checked regularly.
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• High cholesterol
• Physical inactivity and obesity
• Excessive alcohol use

Knowing your stroke risk is the first step in prevention. Have regular medical checkups, and talk with your health care provider about what you can do to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Online Stroke Assessment
Our online Stroke Assessment can help explain your risk factors and recommend steps for reducing your risk. Take the Stroke Risk Assessment >

Because May is National Stroke Awareness Month, on May 22, 2013, Franciscan Alliance stroke coordinators Kari Kerstetter and Amy Linsemeyer will be discussing stroke recognition and the importance of early activation of 911 at the monthly Mallwalkers event at 9 a.m. at Westfield Southlake mall in Hobart. The Mallwalkers program, sponsored by Franciscan Alliance and the mall, takes place on the fourth Wednesday of the month in the JC Penney court on the first floor. Blood pressure screenings also are available.

Stroke Awareness Month: Remember to Act FAST

The acronym FAST is an easy way to remember signs of stroke and what to do if you think a stroke has occurred. However, it is important to always keep in mind that the most important thing to do is to immediately call 9-1-1 for emergency assistance.

FAST stands for:

• (F)ACE. Ask the person to smile. Check to see if one side of the face droops.
• (A)RMS. Ask the person to raise both arms. See if one arm drifts downward.
• (S)PEECH. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Check to see if words are slurred and if the sentence is repeated correctly.
• (T)IME. If a person shows any of these symptoms, time is essential. It is important to get to the hospital as quickly as possible. Call 9-1-1. Act FAST.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of the National Institutes of Health, offers up an award-winning video to build awareness about the signs of stroke and the need to call 911 to receive immediate medical treatment. The video includes information on stroke symptoms, treatment, and risk factors, and features medical experts, stroke patients and their families. Take a look: