The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that every 40 seconds, someone in the US experiences a stroke. Every 3 minutes and 11 seconds, someone dies of a stroke. The American Stroke Association defines a stroke as a "brain attack" that happens when the flow of blood to the brain is blocked, causing brain cells to die and brain damage to occur.
Fortunately, there is something we can do to help. Using the acronym "FAST," we can easily remember the warning signs of a stroke. The sooner a person is treated for a stroke, the better the outcome, which is why identifying that a stroke is happening can save lives. Read on to learn more about what FAST means.
Signs of a stroke
General signs of a stroke include:
- Numbness in the face, arm or leg, particularly on one side of your bodyÂ
- Difficulty speaking or understanding others
- Sudden confusion and mental fogginess
- Sudden vision issues in one or both eyes
- Sudden dizziness, incoordination and trouble walking
- Sudden migraine headacheÂ
Signs of a stroke tend to look the same in men and women but signs can be less intense in women and often are overlooked. In addition to the signs listed above, women may also feel the following symptoms before stroke:
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Mind fogginess and memory issues
- Nausea and vomitingÂ
Remember FAST to help identify a strokeÂ
This is where the acronym FAST comes in. It's a helpful resource to help recognize if someone is having a stroke and what you should do.Â
F: Face drooping
One side of the face is drooping and unable to function as normal.
A: Arm weakness
One arm suddenly feels numb or weak and cannot be raised simultaneously with the other.Â
S: Speech difficulty
Someone is blurring their speech, speaking incoherently or unable to repeat phrases.
T: Time to call 911
If you or someone is experiencing one or more of these symptoms, especially on one side of the body, call 911 immediately. Quick medical care is vital in preventing serious long-term harm or disability.Â
Note that the acronym was "BEFAST" for balance problems, eyesight problems, face muscle drooping, arm numbness, speech difficulties and time to call for help. However, a 2024 randomized pilot trial found that people had higher retention and ability to recall stroke symptoms, either partially or fully, with FAST.
Possible causes of a strokeÂ
While there are risk factors of stroke that can't be changed, like family history or gender, some are preventable.Â
Below is a list of possible stroke risk factors that can be managed:Â
- DiabetesÂ
- Drug use
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Smoking
For more advice on managing heart health, here are nine tips to help lower your risk of heart disease and what to do if someone is experiencing a heart attack.