Know the Signs of Stroke

Commonly called “brain attacks” because they destroy brain cells, a stroke occurs when a clot blocks a blood vessel or artery, or when a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain.

If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do this simple test:

Act F.A.S.T.
FACE	Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
ARMS	Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
SPEECH	Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred?  Can he/she repeat the sentence correctly?
TIME	If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important.  Call 911 or get to the hospital fast. Brain cells are dying.

Stroke Symptoms include: 
• Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg - especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

If you have experienced any of these symptoms, you may have had a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mini-stroke. A TIA is a warning sign for a possible future stroke. 

Source: National Stroke Association

Call 911 if you or someone around you has symptoms of a stroke.
Stroke is an emergency and requires immediate treatment! The success of newer treatments require diagnosis with 3 hours of the onset of symptoms