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Act F.A.S.T. and educate about stroke symptoms recognition and response!
Want to help
reduce the impact of stroke? First, remember that strokes strikes F.A.S.T. and
you should, too.
Next, it’s
important to know that there are many possible symptoms of stroke. Educate
yourself by learning as many symptoms
as possible and then find an effective way to remember them, such as the Face,
Arms, Speech, Time test (otherwise known as F.A.S.T).
Finally,
spread awareness about how to act F.A.S.T. and recognize and respond to stroke symptoms.
The F.A.S.T. Test is:
| F = FACE |
Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? |
| A = ARMS |
Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? |
| S = SPEECH |
Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Does the speech sound slurred or strange? |
| T = TIME |
If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 9-1-1. |
Learn
as many stroke symptoms as possible so you can recognize stroke as F.A.S.T. as
possible:
Stroke Symptoms include:
- SUDDEN numbness or weakness of face,
arm or leg - especially on one side of the body.
- SUDDEN confusion, trouble speaking
or understanding.
- SUDDEN trouble seeing in one or both
eyes.
- SUDDEN trouble walking, dizziness,
loss of balance or coordination.
- SUDDEN severe headache with no known
cause.
Did you know?
- Stroke is a "BRAIN ATTACK." Get your copy of National Stroke Association's Brain Attack DVD by clicking here.
- Stroke requires emergency treatment.
- Fewer than 5% of stroke patients receive t-PA, a life-saving clot-buster treatment.
- You only have 3 hours from the onset of stroke symptoms to receive t-PA.
- In a National Stroke Association/Gallup poll, 17 percent of the respondents over age 50 couldn’t name a single stroke symptom.
- National Stroke Association offers an online training program, Stroke Rapid Response™ Online, for EMS personnel and stroke care staff that helps more stroke patients get to the right hospital F.A.S.T. Make sure you and your loved ones will be transported to the proper facility in the event of a stroke. Click here to access Stroke Rapid Response™ Online.
Resources
Click for detailed information about stroke symptoms and the types of stroke a person can have.
Click here for an easy to understand Stroke 101 fact sheet. This fact sheet provides information on how to lower your stroke risk and how to recognize stroke symptoms.
We offer brochures and fact sheets on nearly every major risk factor for stroke. Visit www.stroke.org/brochures and www.stroke.org/factsheets for more info.
Visit www.stroke.org/SAM_Materials for free awareness tools.
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