
Strokes are a leading cause of death and disability, and recognising the signs is crucial to ensure victims receive the help they need. Doctors have developed a simple test, using the acronym F.A.S.T., to help identify a stroke. This involves asking the person to perform four tasks: smile, raise both arms, speak a simple sentence, and stick out their tongue. If the person has trouble with any of these tasks, it could be an indication of a stroke, and emergency services should be called immediately.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
F | Face: Ask the person to smile and check if one side of their face droops or if their smile is uneven |
A | Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms and check if one arm drifts downward or if they can lift one arm higher than the other |
S | Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase and check if their speech is slurred or strange |
T | Time: If the person shows any of the above signs, call 911 immediately |
What You'll Learn
- Face: Ask the person to smile and check for drooping
- Arms: Ask them to raise both arms and observe if one drifts downward
- Speech: Ask them to repeat a simple phrase; listen for slurred or strange speech
- Tongue: Ask them to stick out their tongue; observe if it is crooked
- Time: If you observe any of the above, call 911 immediately
Face: Ask the person to smile and check for drooping
If you suspect someone is having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do the following test:
Face: Ask the person to smile.
Ask the person to smile and check for drooping. Does one side of the face droop? Is the smile uneven? That's a sign of weakness or numbness in the face. Facial drooping is usually accompanied by a feeling of numbness in the face. The person may also experience a loss of muscle control on one side of their face.
If the person's face is drooping, this could be a sign of a stroke. However, it could also be a sign of Bell's Palsy, a condition that causes temporary facial paralysis. Bell's Palsy usually goes away on its own within a few months and is not usually serious. Nonetheless, if you notice muscle weakness in your face, it's important to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible to determine the cause.
Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms.
Does one arm drift downward? Can they lift one arm higher than the other? That signals weakness on one side of their body. The person may experience sudden weakness or numbness in one arm.
Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase.
Did they slur? Did their speech sound strange? Could they even repeat the phrase? Trouble speaking is a tell-tale sign of stroke. The person may have difficulty speaking or understanding speech. Their speech may be slurred or incomprehensible.
Time: If the person failed any part of the test, note the time and get help.
Call 9-1-1 immediately. Let emergency services know what time the symptoms first appeared so they can estimate the length of the stroke. Time is critical when it comes to treating strokes. Immediate treatment can improve the chances of survival and reduce the risk of long-term disability.
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Arms: Ask them to raise both arms and observe if one drifts downward
If you suspect someone is having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do the following test:
Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Observe if one arm drifts downward.
This is because a common symptom of stroke is weakness in only one arm. If blood flow to the left side of the brain is blocked or compromised, it could be hard for the person to lift or control their right arm. Conversely, if blood flow to the right side of the brain is blocked or compromised, it could be difficult for the person to lift or control their left arm. The frontal lobe, which is responsible for motor control of voluntary muscles, is affected during a stroke, and this can cause one arm to drift downward after being lifted.
If the person you are testing is experiencing arm weakness, call 911 immediately.
Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop or is it numb?
Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away. Note the time when any symptoms first appear. This information helps healthcare providers determine the best treatment.
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Speech: Ask them to repeat a simple phrase; listen for slurred or strange speech
If you suspect someone is having a stroke, it's important to act quickly. A stroke is a medical emergency, and the victim needs treatment right away. The medical community has developed a simple test using the acronym F.A.S.T. to help people remember the most common warning signs of stroke and how to react.
S = Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase, such as "It may rain today." Listen for slurred speech or strange speech patterns. Are they able to repeat the phrase? Trouble speaking is a tell-tale sign of a stroke.
If the person is unable to repeat the phrase, this could be a sign of a stroke. Note the time and call 911 immediately. Let the emergency services know what time the person started exhibiting symptoms so that they can estimate the length of the stroke. Time is critical during the early stages of a stroke, and the person needs to get to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible.
Even if the symptoms go away, it's important to seek medical attention. A stroke of any duration can cause lasting damage, and it's better to be safe and seek treatment than to ignore the warning signs of a potentially deadly event.
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Tongue: Ask them to stick out their tongue; observe if it is crooked
Strokes are a leading cause of death and disability. Knowing what to watch for can help save a life. The acronym F.A.S.T. is a simple test that can help you remember the most common warning signs of a stroke:
Tongue
Ask them to stick out their tongue; observe if it is crooked. If the tongue goes to one side or the other, this is an indication of a stroke.
F = Face
Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? Is the smile uneven? That’s a sign of weakness or numbness in the face.
A = Arms
Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? Can they lift one arm higher than the other? That signals weakness on one side of their body.
S = Speech
Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange? Can they even repeat the phrase? Trouble speaking is a tell-tale sign of a stroke.
T = Time
If the person failed any part of the test, note the time and get help. Call an emergency number immediately. Let the emergency services know what time the symptoms first appeared so they can estimate the length of the stroke and determine the appropriate treatment.
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Time: If you observe any of the above, call 911 immediately
Time is of the essence when it comes to stroke symptoms. If you observe any of the signs or symptoms of a stroke, it is imperative to act quickly and call 911 immediately. Do not wait for the symptoms to pass or try to drive to the hospital yourself. Call 911 and let the medical professionals come to you so they can begin life-saving treatment as soon as possible.
The sooner a person having a stroke receives medical attention, the better their chances of recovery. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States, and it can cause severe brain damage if not treated promptly. The faster the person receives treatment, the better their chances of recovery without permanent damage.
When calling 911, be sure to provide clear and detailed information to the dispatcher. Mention the word "stroke" so that they know what kind of help to send. Provide your address, including any cross streets or landmarks, to make it easier for the ambulance to find you. Additionally, note the time when the symptoms first appeared, as this information will help healthcare providers determine the best course of treatment.
It is also important to know the risk factors for stroke. While strokes can occur at any age, people aged 65 and older are at a higher risk, with the risk increasing with age. Other risk factors include a history of previous stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or heart attack, as well as health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol, and other heart or vascular diseases. Knowing these risk factors can help you identify a potential stroke more quickly and take the necessary steps to seek medical attention.
Remember, if you observe any signs or symptoms of a stroke, even if it is just one symptom, do not hesitate to call 911 immediately. Time is of the essence when it comes to stroke treatment, and every minute counts toward saving the person's brain cells and improving their chances of recovery.
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Frequently asked questions
The American Stroke Association recommends that you act F.A.S.T. to identify a stroke:
- 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: If the person failed any part of the test, call 911 immediately.
Other signs of a stroke include:
- Weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg, usually on just one side
- Loss of vision, blurred vision, or dimmed vision in one or both eyes
- Severe headache with no known cause
- Loss of balance or coordination, trouble walking, or ringing in the ears
- Dizziness, confusion, agitation, loss of consciousness, or other severe altered mental status
If you notice any of these signs, it is important to act quickly. Call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. Do not drive to the hospital or let someone else drive you. Instead, call for an ambulance so that medical personnel can begin treatment as soon as possible.