According to the Center For Disease Control, 130,000 people in America die from a stroke every year. This means that an American is dying from a stroke every four minutes. A person’s chance of having a stroke increase as he or she gets older. However, it is important to note that a stroke can occur at any age.
The good news is that a stroke is not always fatal. The American Heart Association has estimated that there are 6.6 million people who could be alive today if they would have recognized the signs of a stroke. In addition to recognizing the signs of a stroke, it is important for people to get medical help as soon as possible.
Dr. Seemant Chaturvedi, who is a neurologist, has stated that there are stroke treatments that have to be administered within three to fours of a person having a stroke. Urgent treatment is extremely important.
Recognizing the symptoms of a stroke could be the difference between life and death. Experts recommend remembering the acronym F.A.S.T. when assessing whether a person is having a stroke. F stands for Face. Ask the person to smile. If one side of the face droops, then this could be a sign of a stroke.
A stands for Arms. Have the person raise both of his or her arms. If a person has trouble lifting one or both arms, then this could be a sign of a stroke. S stands for speech. Have a person repeat simple sentences. If a person cannot repeat a simple sentence without slurring his or her words, then this could be a sign of a stroke.
T stands for time. If you recognize unusual symptoms, then you should call 911 right away.