Be F.A.S.T. with Stroke

pwilson May 2nd, 2010, 12:14 AM
Paula Wilson, RN, Registered Nurse, Clinical Coordinator
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May is National Stroke Awareness Month
(National Stroke Association)
One time I had a patient who was having difficulty controlling his blood pressure, and his main concern was avoidance of stroke. He had a neighbor that had a stroke with a long recovery phase, and he was really fearful of that happening to him. He would often ask “How would I know I was having one?” We discussed risk factors that could be controlled such as:
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Heart Disease
  • Diabetes
  • Cigarette Smoking
  • High Cholesterol
  • Physical Inactivity
However what he found most helpful, was a simple term:  F. A. S. T.
F=FACE  Ask the person to smile. If one side of the face is drooping or crooked, it could be a sign of a stroke.
A=ARMS  Ask the person to raise both of their arms. Notice if one side drifts downward without control.
S=SPEECH  Can the person repeat a simple sentence? If not or the words are slurred, or sound strange, that could be a sign.
T=TIME  If any of the above symptoms are present, time is of the utmost importance, and dial 911 immediately.
He wrote this out, and placed it on his refrigerator door. Fortunately over time, his pressure was controlled, and he has not had a stroke. But awareness of signs and symptoms may make all the difference for you or a loved one. VNSNY has a lot of information on resources for patients and caregivers, ways to prevent stroke and how to manage recovery if it does happen. Let’s continue to spread awareness about stroke symptoms and prevention.

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