Stroke Awareness can mean the difference between life and death. And, if you thought this was an issue reserved for the elderly, think again. Though it is MORE LIKELY to occur with people who are 65 and above, make no mistake about it: strokes can occur at ANY age! Stroke awareness – identifying the signs of stroke – and knowing what to do when someone is experiencing a stroke, is crucial to the potential life-saving response when this occurs.

F.A.S.T. Warning Signs

Use the letters in F.A.S.T. to spot a Stroke
  • F = Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?
  • A = Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  • S = Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred?
  • T = Time to call 911 – Stroke is an emergency. Every minute counts. Call 911 immediately. Note the time when any of the symptoms first appear.

Other Stroke Symptoms

Watch for Sudden:
  • NUMBNESS or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • CONFUSION, trouble speaking or understanding speech
  • TROUBLE SEEING in one or both eyes
  • TROUBLE WALKING, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • SEVERE HEADACHE with no known cause
Visit American Stroke Association to learn more