Do you know the signs of a stroke?

BE FAST to save a life — perhaps even your own

A stroke, sometimes called a “brain attack,” happens when blood flow is cut off to an area of the brain or an artery in the brain bursts open. That can have far-reaching effects — on your movement, speech, emotional health, brain function and even how you swallow. In some cases, a stroke can lead to death or long-term disability.

Knowing how serious a stroke can be, would you be able to spot the signs if you or someone else was having one?

“Recognizing the symptoms of a stroke is vital for promptly identifying the condition and ensuring swift medical intervention,” says Lisa Wasko, a registered nurse in neurology and manager of clinical quality at Geisinger. “Physicians have a small window of time, starting from when the patient was last seen normal, to initiate a clot-busting drug to minimize or reverse damage by restoring blood flow to the brain. That’s why we want everyone to be familiar with the BE FAST acronym.”

Types of strokes

There are 2 main types of strokes:

Ischemic stroke: caused by a blockage in an artery supplying blood to the brain
Hemorrhagic stroke: occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and leads to bleeding in or around the brain

During an ischemic stroke — the most common type — the affected brain tissue gets damaged due to the lack of blood flow, oxygen and nutrients. The brain cells begin to die within minutes, making immediate medical attention crucial.

“A transient ischemic attack, or mini stroke, is a warning stroke that can cause temporary symptoms, but not permanent damage,” explains Ms. Wasko. “It’s still critical to seek medical attention right away, because without proper workup, it’s impossible to know if someone’s having a mini stroke or a full ischemic stroke. Plus, we can manage underlying conditions to prevent an ischemic stroke in the future.”

Bleeding on the brain due to a hemorrhagic stroke increases pressure on brain structures, reducing blood flow and depriving them of oxygen, and leads to brain-cell damage.

BE FAST stroke symptoms

Recognizing stroke symptoms is critical for timely medical intervention to minimize damage and perhaps save a life — maybe even your own.

Many Americans report not knowing common stroke symptoms. But there’s an easy way to remember warning signs of a stroke: the acronym BE FAST:

B

is for balance difficulties

Watch for a sudden loss of balance or coordination. The person may stumble or have trouble walking, fall or have unexplained dizziness.

E

is for eyesight changes

Sudden vision loss or trouble seeing in one or both eyes is an indicator. The person may have blurred vision or see double.

F

is for face drooping

Check to see if 1 side of the face is drooping or numb. Ask the person to smile to see if their smile is uneven.

A

is for arm weakness

Watch for weakness or numbness in 1 arm. Ask the person to raise both arms to shoulder height and see if 1 arm drifts downward.

S

is for speech difficulty

Look for slurred speech or trouble choosing the right words. The person may appear confused and have difficulty speaking or understanding speech. Ask them to repeat a simple sentence to tell if speech is affected.

T

is for time to call 911

And if you see any of these symptoms, the “T” in BE FAST becomes imperative. A stroke is an emergency, and every minute counts. Don’t wait to see if symptoms improve or disappear.

“Call 911 immediately if someone is having any of these symptoms, even if they seem to go away,” says Ms. Wasko. “You don’t want to drive the person to the hospital. Instead, call an ambulance so medical personnel can begin lifesaving treatment right away, which is crucial in preventing serious disability or death.”

Also, be sure to note the time when symptoms began. This information can help medical personnel determine which treatment options are best.

Other signs of a stroke

The BE FAST stroke symptoms are the most common signs of a stroke. But, a stroke can cause a lot of different symptoms and they will vary, depending on the type of stroke and the area of the brain affected. In addition to BE FAST, there are other signs of stroke to watch for.

“When a person has a hemorrhagic stroke, a common symptom is a severe ‘thunderclap’ headache — or the worst headache of their life — with no apparent cause,” says Ms. Wasko. “This could be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, trouble swallowing or rapid loss of consciousness.”

Stroke prevention

The good news? There are steps you can take to help prevent a (or another) stroke. Managing controllable conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes and making healthy lifestyle changes are key to prevention.

“Many stroke prevention strategies are the same as those recommended to ward off heart disease, because heart health and stroke are closely linked,” says Ms. Wasko. “Focusing on exercise and nutrient-rich foods that are good for your heart can help cut your stroke risk.”

Here are 7 ways to help prevent a stroke:

Eat a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, while reducing saturated fats and sodium.
Cut back on alcohol use to no more than 2 standard drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women. But in general, the less alcohol, the better.
Exercise regularly, aiming for at least 150 minutes each week of moderate aerobic activity like brisk walking, jogging, swimming or cycling.
Keep diabetes in check.
Manage heart health, such as lowering blood pressure and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
Lose weight.
Stop smoking.

“It’s also important to have regular checkups with your doctor to manage your risk factors and treat underlying causes of stroke,” says Ms. Wasko. “Because even with proper preventive steps, strokes can and do occur. And when they do, BE FAST. You could save a life.”