Do You Know the Signs of a Stroke?

According to the CDC, strokes kill about 140,000 Americans each year, which equates to one out of every 20 deaths. Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds, and every four minutes, someone dies of a stroke. These staggering statistics should be a wake-up call to us all. Being aware of the signs of a stroke and knowing right away when to call 911 gives the stroke victim the greatest chance of survival. And patients who arrive at the emergency room within three hours of symptoms tend to have less disability three months after a stroke than patients with delayed care. Do you know what to look for to help those you love?

Think F-A-S-T

While quick thinking is important, too, the acronym FASTactually stands for “Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech concerns and Time to call 911.” According to the American Stroke Associations, these are the first signs to look for in a stroke victim:

F – Look at the face. Is one side drooping or is it numb? Ask the person to smile and observe whether it is lopsided/uneven.

A – Check to see if one arm is weak or numb. Ask the person to raise both arms and watch to see if one arm drifts downward.

S – Is the person’s speech slurred, or are they unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.

T – If the person shows any of the above symptoms, even if they go away after a few minutes, call 911. They need to be examined at a hospital right away.

Watch for Additional Signs

While FAST helps us remember the most common signs of stroke, there are other signs that can signal the onset of stroke. Watch for numbness or weakness of the arm, face or leg — especially all on one side of the body. Trouble seeing and speaking are both often tell-tale signs of a stroke, as well. Other people may experience difficulty walking or maintaining their balance, as well as a sudden, severe headache.

The Virginia Department of Health reports stroke as the fourth leading cause of death in Virginia. Someone in Virginia has a stroke every 50 minutes. For more information about signs of stroke and learning how to be prepared, visit the American Stroke Association’s website. And if there is ever any question, be safe and call 911. You want your loved ones to be the ones who receive care within the first three hours of symptoms and hopefully suffer the least amount of disability. Together as a community, we can educate ourselves and work to improve these statistics.

Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department (OWL VFD) is one of the largest and busiest volunteer fire departments in the United States, with almost 300 members. OWL VFD provides fire suppression, EMS care, and rescue services to 80,000 residents in our 27 square mile area through the operation of three fire stations. OWL volunteer Firefighters and EMT’s work the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. shift, five days a week, plus 24/7 on holidays and weekends. For more information on OWL VFD, become a fan of our Facebook pagehere.