You’ve met for coffee and a catch-up, one of those girlfriend gabfests about jobs-kids-guys-great books-bad movies-vacation plans. You’re distracted trying decide between the relative evils of sweet’N low vs. sugar. Suddenly you notice that your friend’s story about her weekend from hell in Las Vegas isn’t making much sense. Her speech seems slurred, she’s stumbling over words, seems confused and–you can’t quite put your finger on it– but there’s something odd about the way she looks.
Maybe she’s just tired, you think. Or maybe not. What should you do?
You should remember that slurred speech and confusion could be signs of a stroke.
Then Use the F.A.S.T. test to recognize and respond to stroke symptoms:
F = FACE Ask your friend to smile. Does one side of her face droop?
A = ARMS Ask her to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S = SPEECH Ask her to repeat a simple sentence. Does her speech sound slurred or strange?
T = TIME If you observe any of these signs, don’t delay. Make a note of the time (this will be important later).
Then call 9-1-1 or get to her the nearest stroke center or hospital.
May is Stroke Awareness Month. Learn something new today and share it with friends and family.
This is clear, important advice. I’m glad you’re sharing it here and on Facebook.
Lynn
http://www.writeradvice.com
Author of You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers
I had a stroke one morning as Isat drinking doffee and reazied I could not feel the mug in my hand and that the whole hand was compromised, not just one or two fingers–a wrist anesthesia. As I tried to dial the phone, I had difficult with the pushbuttons and realized that speech might go soon and i might need someone to speak for me at hospital admission. Got my insurance card and data ready while I could then–with company–drove to ER. Should have called 911 immediately and strongly advise others to do so. It proved to be a cholesterol clot in the left carotid artery which had to reamed out but still managed to block some retinal vessels affecting the left eye visual fields.
Still working on memory and old information retrieval problems after 5 years, but no physical paralysis or weakness remains. Plavix, meds for BP
and cholesterol control continue.
Count myself a survivor, Ca AND stroke.
EDIT COPY: “DRINKING COFFEE AND i REALIZED”—HAD “GLOVE” ANESTHESIA.
AGAIN EMPHASIZE THAT I SHOULD HAVE CALLED 911 IMMEDIATELY. MY COMPANION DIVERTED ME INTO CALLED A DOCTOR AND DRIVING OURSELVES.
So scary, Ethel. So glad you’re doing well now. We’ll be sisters in stroke on Bali.