(StatePoint) Stroke continues to remain a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. With over 12.2 million new strokes occurring each year, experts at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke say that every minute counts, as fast treatment may lessen the brain damage that a stroke can cause.
STROKE can affect anyone at any age, at any time, making it critical that everyone, especially those with known risk factors, understand and recognize the signs and symptoms of stroke, as well as their options as patients.
The signs of stroke can be subtle and hard to recognize, so educating yourself and others is key to noticing and responding quickly. One easy way to remember the signs of stroke is with the acronym FAST from the American Stroke Association. This stands for:
• F - Face Drooping
• A - Arm Weakness
• S - Speech Difficulty
• T - Time to call 911
The sudden onset of any of these signs, as well as confusion, severe headaches and vision problems, could mean that someone is having a stroke, which is why it’s important to call 911 immediately when a stroke is suspected.
Disability is common post-stroke, and recovery periods can be lengthy.…
