FAST is an easy way to remember and identify the most common symptoms of a stroke.
F stands for FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A stands for arms ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S stands for speech SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
T stands for time TIME: If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 9-1-1 immediately.
Recognition of stroke and calling 9-1-1 will determine how quickly someone will receive help and treatment. Getting to a hospital rapidly will more likely lead to a better recovery.
When you control your blood pressure, you reduce your risk of stroke —the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. There is a definite link between good blood pressure control and good health in general. At Valley-Wide we encourage our patients to know their blood pressure, monitor it regularly, and talk with their health care provider about how to keep it in the normal range. From diet and physical activity to medications, there are easy, effective and economical ways to measure, routinely monitor, and control your blood pressure.
