A Stroke Is An Emergency: Act FAST

Content sponsored by Pfizer

There are not many things scarier than a stroke. Like a heart attack, a stroke can come on suddenly, with little or no advance warning. And like a heart attack, a stroke can cause serious and lasting damage, or it may be fatal, especially if you don’t respond quickly. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. and a leading cause of adult disability.

That’s why it’s very important to know the warning signs of stroke and if you see them, call 911 immediately. A quick response can mean the difference between life and death. Warning signs include sudden:

• Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Confusion or trouble speaking
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Severe headache with no known cause

Act FAST

If you observe or suspect anyone to have at least one of those symptoms, act FAST. Here’s a way to remember what to do—remember the letters F-A-S-T:

F for Face: Ask the person to smile. Is one side of the face drooping?

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A for Arm: Can they raise both arms or is one arm weak?

S for Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Is their speech slurred or confused?

T for Time: Call 911 right away!

Don’t delay

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A 2011 study found that African-Americans delay calling 911 after a stroke and instead call a relative or friend. This is alarming. African-Americans are twice as likely to experience a first stroke as Caucasians. They are also twice as likely to die from stroke as Caucasians.

Another study found that even though people recognized a friend or family member might be having a stroke, they may not call 911. In a stroke, minutes matter—dial 911!

Here are some important tips to remember:

• Identify: learn about stroke risk factors.
• Reduce your risk factors: make lifestyle changes to help reduce your stroke risk.
• Recognize and respond: know the warning signs of stroke and call 911 immediately if you or someone close to you shows signs of a stroke.

Authored by Freda Lewis-Hall, MD, FAPA, the Chief Medical Officer for Pfizer Inc.

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