How to Recognize If You Are Having A Stroke_Learn the Symptoms

Having a stroke is a life-and-death-emergency. Heart disease, not only affects the elderly and men, but women too. Many women think cancer is more of a threat to their lives. According to American Heart Association, "nearly twice as many women in the United States die of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases as from all forms of cancer, including breast cancer." Do you know the symptoms of a stroke? Familiarizing yourself with the signs are imperative. There is a 3 hour window of time from when the symptoms start. There is a drug called (tPA) that can reduce long-term disability for a common stroke.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Telephone
• Quick thinking

1. 
   Severe Headache

   LEARN SIGNS:
   
   *Sudden numbness or weakness of the 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

2. 
   Dial 911

   DIAL 911:
   
   If you are having any of these signs dial 9-1-1, alert them to how you are feeling so they can send an ambulance with a trained professional. Check the time when the first symptom started so you can let them know.

3. 
   Ask them to smile

   ACT F.A.S.T.
   
   It's important to know the Act F.A.S.T. test if you think someone might be having a stroke. According to National Stroke Association, "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 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."
   Knowing these things to do can reduce the impact a stroke. Educate yourself, and spread the awareness to others. A life might be depending on it.

Resources

• National Stroke Association
• American Heart Association