
Strokes are a life-threatening condition that occurs when there is an issue with blood flow to the brain. They are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The faster a person having a stroke gets medical care, the more likely the effects of the stroke will be limited or even reversible. Therefore, it is important to know how to detect a stroke quickly.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
How quickly can a stroke be detected? | Strokes can be detected using the F.A.S.T acronym. |
Face Drooping | Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven? |
Arm Weakness | Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? |
Speech | Is the person's speech slurred or strange? |
Time | If you see any of these signs, call 911 right away. Note the time when any symptoms first appear. |
Treatment Window | The stroke treatments that work best are available only if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within 3 hours of the first symptoms. |
What You'll Learn
Face Drooping
A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. It occurs when there is a disruption in blood flow to the brain, either due to a clot or bleeding in the brain. Knowing how to spot a stroke can save lives.
To identify face drooping, ask the person to smile. If one side of their face droops or twists, this could be an indication of a stroke. This occurs when blood flow to a particular side of the brain is compromised, affecting the frontal lobe, which is responsible for motor control of voluntary muscles.
In addition to face drooping, other symptoms that may be present include numbness or weakness on the affected side of the face and body, difficulty speaking clearly, and vision problems. It is important to note that face drooping does not occur in all cases of stroke, and other symptoms should also be considered.
If you suspect someone is having a stroke, use the F.A.S.T. acronym to assess their condition:
- F = Face — Check for face drooping or twisting.
- A = Arms — Ask the person to raise both arms. Observe if one arm drifts downward, indicating weakness on one side.
- S = Speech — Evaluate their speech. Listen for slurred speech or strange-sounding speech patterns.
- T = Time — If the person exhibits any of the above signs, note the time and call emergency services immediately. Time is critical during a stroke, and quick action can improve the chances of recovery and reduce long-term impact.
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Arm Weakness
The F.A.S.T. test is a simple way to detect the signs of a stroke. The 'A' stands for 'Arm', and here's how to administer the test:
- Ask the person to raise both arms.
- Check if one arm is drifting downward.
- Check if they can lift one arm higher than the other.
If the person is unable to perform these actions, it could be a sign of arm weakness caused by a stroke. In this case, you should call emergency services immediately.
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Speech Difficulty
Communication problems are very common after a stroke, with around one-third of stroke survivors experiencing difficulties with speaking, reading, writing, and understanding what others say to them. This condition is called aphasia, a language disorder that affects one's ability to communicate. Aphasia occurs when one or more of the regions of the brain that control language and speech are injured or damaged. It is most often caused by strokes in the left side of the brain.
People with aphasia may struggle with daily activities at home, socially, or at work. They may also feel isolated, as their speech may be jumbled, fragmented, or hard to understand. However, it is important to note that aphasia does not affect intelligence. Stroke survivors remain mentally alert, and their ability to understand and process information remains intact.
Another condition that can cause speech difficulty after a stroke is dysarthria, which occurs when an individual is not able to control the muscles in their face, mouth, and throat very well. This can result in slurred or slow speech, or a quiet voice.
Apraxia of speech is a similar condition, where individuals cannot move the muscles in their face, mouth, or throat in the correct order when speaking. This can make it difficult for others to understand them.
If you suspect that someone is having a stroke, you can use the F.A.S.T. test to check for the most common warning signs:
- Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop? Is their smile uneven? This indicates weakness or numbness in the face.
- Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? Can they lift one arm higher than the other? This signals weakness on one side of their body.
- Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Do they slur? Does their speech sound strange? Can they even repeat the phrase? Trouble speaking is a tell-tale sign of a stroke.
- Time: If the person failed any part of the test, note the time and seek immediate medical help. Call an ambulance and inform them of the time the test was failed so that paramedics can estimate the length of the stroke.
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Time to call emergency services
Stroke is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent damage or death. It is crucial to act quickly and call the emergency services if you suspect someone is having a stroke. Here are some guidelines on when it is time to call for emergency assistance:
Face Drooping: If you notice one side of the person's face drooping or appearing numb, ask them to smile. If their smile is uneven, it could indicate weakness or numbness in their face, which is a common sign of a stroke.
Arm Weakness: Check for arm weakness or numbness by asking the person to raise both arms. If one arm drifts downward or they are unable to lift one arm as high as the other, it could signal weakness on one side of their body.
Speech Difficulty: Pay attention to any difficulties in speech, such as slurred speech or strange-sounding words. Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase to assess their speech clarity and comprehension.
Time to Call for Help: If you observe any of the above signs or other stroke symptoms, it is time to call the emergency services immediately. Note the time when any symptoms first appear, as this information is crucial for healthcare providers to determine the appropriate treatment. Do not drive to the hospital yourself; instead, call for an ambulance so that medical personnel can begin providing life-saving treatment while on the way to the emergency room.
Remember the acronym F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) to help you identify the signs of a stroke and act quickly. Every minute counts when it comes to treating a stroke, as fast treatment can lessen the brain damage and improve the chances of recovery without disability.
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Tests to diagnose a stroke
Stroke is a medical emergency, and tests to diagnose a stroke usually start in the ambulance before a patient gets to the hospital. This is why it is important to call an ambulance rather than drive to the hospital. The tests aim to determine whether a patient has had a stroke, what type of stroke it was, and what caused it. This information will help doctors plan the patient's treatment.
Physical and Neurological Exam
The ambulance worker or doctor will ask the patient or a family member about their symptoms and medical history. They will also perform a physical exam, which includes taking the patient's blood pressure and checking for mental alertness, numbness or weakness, or trouble speaking, seeing, or walking.
The neurological exam tests how well the nervous system is working and whether the patient has had a stroke. The doctor will ask the patient questions, test their reflexes, and ask them to perform simple actions. Each part of the exam tests a different part of the brain and can show how serious the stroke was and where in the brain it occurred.
Imaging Tests
At the hospital, the patient will likely undergo imaging tests that allow doctors to see inside the brain, assess the damage, and determine where the stroke happened. These include:
- Computed Tomography (CT) scan: This uses X-rays to take pictures of the brain and is usually one of the first tests used. It can show bleeding in the brain, damage to brain cells, and other problems that can cause stroke-like symptoms.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI uses a strong magnet and radio waves to create more detailed pictures of the brain. It can show brain changes caused by a stroke sooner than a CT scan and can also detect bleeding or blood flow problems.
- CT or MR angiogram: This is an X-ray movie of the blood vessels and blood flow. A dye is injected into the veins to show a detailed picture of the blood vessels after a stroke.
- Carotid ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to create pictures of the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain. It is often used with a CT or MR angiogram to check for plaque buildup that may be blocking blood flow to the brain.
- Trans-cranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound: The TCD helps doctors find out which artery in the brain is blocked by measuring blood flow. It is also used with a CT or MR angiogram.
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
An EEG is less common but may be performed to record electrical activity in the brain and ensure that stroke symptoms are not caused by a seizure. Electrodes are placed on the patient's head, and wires attach them to a machine that records the electrical signals.
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
This test detects and records the heart's electrical activity to determine if atrial fibrillation caused the stroke. An ECG can be done during physical activity to monitor the heart under stress.
Blood Tests
While there is no blood test that can diagnose a stroke, doctors may perform a series of blood tests to understand the cause of stroke symptoms:
- Complete blood count (CBC): This measures the overall health of the blood and helps diagnose infection, anemia, clotting problems, or other blood disorders.
- Serum electrolytes: This test checks for substances in the blood that carry an electric charge, as an electrolyte imbalance can cause stroke-like symptoms.
- Blood clotting tests: These tests measure how quickly the blood clots to determine if the stroke was caused by a clot or bleeding.
- Heart attack tests: Some women with stroke symptoms also exhibit signs of a heart attack, so doctors may order tests to check for this.
- Thyroid tests: Having hyperthyroidism increases the risk of atrial fibrillation, which is linked to strokes.
- Blood glucose: This measures glucose (sugar) in the blood, as low blood sugar can cause stroke-like symptoms.
- Cholesterol tests: This test examines whether high cholesterol could have led to the stroke.
- C-reactive protein test and blood protein test: These tests look for substances in the blood that indicate swelling or inflammation, which could be caused by damage to arteries.
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