Knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke can not only save a life but also prevent irrevisable damage. A stroke is essentially a sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain. Brain cells don\u2019t survive without constant blood flow, which is why symptoms start quickly after the occlusion.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re taking care of someone who has underlying health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or high cholesterol, they are at a higher risk for a stroke. This means that you, as the caregiver, will need to know what to do should that emergency arise.<\/p>\n
FAST: <\/strong>The acronym fast stands for face, arms, speech, and time. If you are caring for someone who suddenly becomes disoriented, ask them to smile- if they are having a stroke half or part of their face will droop. Likewise, if you ask the person to hold both arms in front of them, one arm will begin to fall due to a lack of motor control. Finally, t stands for time. If you notice symptoms of a stroke, act as quickly as possible and call 911.<\/p>\n