Healthy Living Newsletter
Act: F.A.S.T.
May is National Stroke Awareness Month
 The National Stroke Association reports that stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and that 750,000 Americans suffer strokes each year.
Also referred to as a “brain attack,” stroke results in 150,000 deaths each year.
May is National Stroke Awareness Month and is designed to raise awareness regarding stroke and also celebrate and honor the six million stroke survivors in the United States.
There are two definitions for stroke, which causes sudden brain damage due to a lack of blood flow to the brain. Blood flow is interrupted by either a clot or rupture of a blood vessel.
An ischemic stroke is the most common and is basically a clot in the brain. A hemorrhagic stroke refers to bleeding either around the brain or into the brain.
Although Helen suffered an ischemic stroke, she was lucky because her husband Ted had recently read an article about stroke facts and remembered the FAST acronym:
F = FACE... Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A = ARM... Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S = SPEECH... Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?
T = TIME... If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 911.
Time is of the essence when someone is experiencing a stroke. Every second counts to save both life and future function and capability.
Prior to Ted calling 911, Helen had complained of some of the common symptoms of stroke, including: severe headache, trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden dizziness, sudden confusion and trouble speaking, and sudden numbness.
Sometimes the symptoms of stroke can come on over a period of time. Patients report feeling extremely tired, and/or experience difficulty concentrating.
When calling 911, ask that EMS take you to the nearest emergency room where lifesaving measures can be performed.
Mercy Hospital is a member of the Michigan Stroke Network, which provides access to world-class neuroendovascular specialists through its advanced telemedicine robot, linking patients directly with St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Oakland County and providing advanced care.
For Helen, it was Ted’s ability to recognize the signs of stroke that provided the greatest success. After rehabilitation, Helen is back to herself again.
To find out more about stroke, visit the Inpatient Rehabilitation & Stroke section of this website.
You can also contact the American Stroke Association directly at: www.stroke.org; or call toll-free 1 (800) STROKES.
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