Act F.A.S.T when someone is having a stroke

Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability and can be fatal. However, quick action at the first sign of stroke can help lessen damage to the brain and possibly save a life.

The easiest way to identify a person having stroke is to remember the F.A.S.T. test:

• Face: If you notice that a person looks weak in the face, ask them to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
• Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• Speech: Is the person having difficulty speaking? Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?
• Time: If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.

Every year, more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke and every 3.5 minutes, someone dies of stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

MESSA Cardiovascular Education Nurse Cathy Scott-Lynch says healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent stroke, an important message for May’s Stroke Awareness Month.

“The best thing is to maintain positive health,” Scott-Lynch said. “Make sure your blood pressure is OK and that you know your blood pressure numbers. If your numbers aren’t OK, make sure you see your doctor.”