May is National Stroke Awareness Month and in honor of that, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center (JHMC) would like to discuss how you can recognize the warning signs of having a stroke.
The easiest way to recognize the warning signs of a stroke is to think F.A.S.T. :
F- Face Drooping: If one side of the person’s face is drooping, ask them if their face feels numb and ask them to smile. You should be concerned if they are unable to smile or their smile is uneven.
A- Arm weakness: Does the individual’s arm feel numb or weak? Ask them to raise both arms and watch to see if one arm drifts downward.
S- Speech difficulty: If the person is trying to speak and they are difficult to understand or their speech is slurred, ask them to say a simple sentence, such as “my name is Jane,” repeatedly.
T- Time to call 9-1-1: You should never wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1 if someone is displaying these warning signs.
Additional symptoms of a stroke are:
- Sudden confusion
- Severe headaches
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Sudden loss of coordination
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability in the United States. Eighty percent of strokes are preventable and by spotting these warning signs and acting quickly, the severity of a stroke can be reduced drastically.
If someone you know is exhibiting the warning signs of a stroke, call 9-1-1 for help immediately. If you are interested in finding out if you are at risk for a stroke, you can make an appointment with the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. Call 718-206-7001 for an appointment.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.