The FAST acronym (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) is a test to quickly identify the three most common signs of stroke.
Every minute counts when someone is having a stroke. Knowing what to look for makes all the difference in recovery.
Think of a stroke as a "brain attack." Just like a heart attack blocks blood flow to the heart, a stroke blocks blood flow to part of the brain. When this happens, brain cells can die. Every passing minute puts more of the brain at risk.
You can spot a stroke by remembering the word "FAST." The letter F stands for Face. Ask the person to smile. If one side of their face droops or looks uneven, this could be a stroke sign. The letter A is for Arms. Ask them to raise both arms. If one arm drifts downward or the person cannot raise it, this is another warning sign. S stands for Speech. Ask them to repeat a simple phrase. Slurred or strange speech is a big indicator of a stroke. For the last letter, T means Time, and this is crucial: It's time to call 911 right away.
Besides these major signs, there are other things to watch for. Some people get a terrible headache out of nowhere, almost like a bolt of lightning. Some people suddenly have trouble focusing or feel very dizzy. There are also times that a person loses their balance and has trouble walking, almost like they're drunk when they have had no alcohol.
What makes strokes tricky is that they don't always hurt. So some folks make the dangerous mistake of lying down to "wait it out." Please don't do this. Even if you're unsure, it's better to see a doctor and be mistaken than to wait and risk permanent damage.
Here's something many people don't know: There's a special medicine that can help reduce the damage from some types of strokes, but it only works if given within a few hours. This is why getting to the hospital as soon as possible is so important. The sooner someone gets help, the better chance they have of recovering more fully.
You can also lower your chances of having a stroke by taking care of yourself. Keep your blood pressure in check, take your medicines as prescribed, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and stay active. If you smoke, your doctor can help you quit. These simple steps can make a big difference.
Remember, you don't need to memorize everything about strokes, but knowing and practicing the FAST signs and being ready to call 911 immediately could save a life or their quality of life. Don't worry about feeling embarrassed if it turns out not to be a stroke - health care workers would rather check you out and find nothing wrong than miss a chance to help someone having a real stroke.
Christian M. Hartley is a 40-year Alaska resident with over 25 years of public safety and public service experience. He is the City of Houston Fire Chief and serves on many local and state workgroups, boards and commissions re- lated to safety. He lives in Big Lake with his wife of 20 years and their three teenage sons.
