When a stroke starts, every second counts. Acting quickly and calling 911 can mean the difference between preserving a person's quality of life or facing permanent brain damage. Your actions can save their life and protect their future.
You’re probably wondering what you should do. Stroke expert Gary Reese, MD, a neurologist with HonorHealth Neurology and an independent member of the HonorHealth Medical Staff, provides tips on how to respond quickly and make a real difference when it matters most.
What is a stroke?
A stroke results from a lack of blood flow to your brain, causing your brain cells to die. This condition usually affects one of the two sides of your brain. For each minute it goes untreated and blood flow to your brain continues to be blocked, you lose around 1.9 million neurons, eventually causing irreversible damage to your brain.
Stroke by the Numbers infographic (PDF).
The movement on one side of your body is controlled by the opposite side of your brain, so if a stroke affects the left side of your brain, you'll have problems with the right side of your body and vice versa.
Difficulty recognizing a stroke
A stroke can deeply affect your brain, altering how you perceive the world and communicate. This can make it incredibly challenging to express yourself or understand what’s happening around you.
Dr. Reese emphasizes that because a stroke so profoundly impairs your ability to gauge your own condition, it’s crucial for those around you to act swiftly and seek help the moment something seems off. Awareness and quick action can be a lifeline in these critical moments.
Understanding stroke signs and symptoms
BE FAST is an acronym that can help you determine if someone is having a stroke:
- Balance: Does the person have sudden loss of balance?
- Eyes: Does the person have loss of vision in one or both eyes?
- Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop?
- Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
- Time: Every minute matters. Call 911 immediately. Make a note of when their symptoms started.
"You can also use the acronym VAN to remember that stroke affects vision, results in aphasia (language problems) and can cause a person to neglect one side of their body," Dr. Reese says.
What not to do
Don’t hesitate to seek help for a person if you notice they are experiencing stroke symptoms.
"It's important that if you think someone is having a stroke, you don't ask them what to do or believe them if they say they're all right, because, unfortunately, they probably don't know," states Dr. Reese.
Time is of the essence, so empower yourself to take charge of the situation, even if you're not sure of the severity of their medical condition.
Recognized excellence in stroke care
Four of our medical centers, including HonorHealth John C. Lincoln, Deer Valley and Scottsdale Shea and Osborn medical centers, are certified as Primary Stroke Centers. This certification shows that the centers demonstrate a commitment to excellence to provide care that can significantly improve a stroke patient's outcome. Don't hesitate to ask the ambulance driver to take your loved one to the nearest Primary Stroke Center if they are experiencing stroke symptoms.
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