As you age, the likelihood of having a stroke increases. It is important to know the signs and symptoms of a stroke, especially as you or your loved ones age. Timing matters when a stroke happens and can increase your chances of survival when caught early. When in doubt, call 911 or your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms:
- Numbness in your limbs or face, specifically on one side.
- Difficulty with comprehension
- Difficulty speaking
- Problems with dizziness or maintaining balance
- Severe headache that develops for no reason
If it is happening in the moment, the FAST check can help.
The FAST check are commons signs to look for when a stroke happens. Ask the person or yourself these questions:
Face– Smile. Does one side droop?
Arms– Raise your arms. Does one fall down?
Speech– Is the speech slurred or does not make any sense?
Talk– If you answered yes to any of these questions, call 911 immediately.