Spot a stroke F.A.S.T!  Do you know what F.A.S.T stands for? Well, it’s a simple way to remember the sudden signs of a stroke…

Per the American Heart Association

Face Drooping:  Look at their face– is one side numb or drooping? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?

Arm Weakness:  Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech Difficulty:  Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “Mary had a little lamb.” Was the sentence repeated correctly?

Time to call 9-1-1:  If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you will know when the first symptoms appeared. 

For other possible symptoms of a stroke, please refer to the American Heart Association. 

  
*Resources: The Golden Gazette, American Heart Association 

Remember, February is American Heart Month!!