Stroke, or disruption of blood flow to the brain, is the fifth leading cause of death for men and the leading cause of disability in this country. And women are at greater risk; according to the American Stroke Association, strokes are the third leading cause of death for women; 60 percent of all people who die from stroke are women.
When you have a stroke, it is vital that you receive emergency care RIGHT AWAY. The treatments available for stroke are only effective if it is diagnosed and treated within three hours.
The American Stroke Association uses the acronym “FAST” to help people remember the basic signs of stroke:
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“F” Face Drooping. Does one side of the face droop, or is it numb? Is the person’s smile uneven?
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“A” Arm Weakness. Is one arm weak or numb? If you ask the person to raise their arms, does one drift downward?
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“S” Speech. Is speech slurred, or hard to understand? Can they repeat a simple sentence?
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“T” Time to call 911. Get help right away, even if the symptoms fade. Be sure to note the time the symptoms first started.
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Other symptoms that may occur include severe headaches with no apparent cause and trouble seeing out of one or both eyes. The symptoms are often called “suddens” because they come on suddenly.
As with heart attacks, women often report additional symptoms unique to their sex. They can include:
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Losing consciousness or fainting
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Difficulty breathing
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Feeling confused or disoriented
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Feeling agitated
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Sudden changes in behavior
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Hallucinations
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Nausea or vomiting
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Seizures
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Hiccups
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Since these symptoms are not typical, women often don’t recognize how serious they are and put off getting treated. If you do experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to call 911 right away. The sooner you’re treated, the greater your chances are for recovery.
