F.A.S.T.: Spotting the Signs of Stroke
When I suffered a stroke for the first time, I didn’t know the signs of a stroke. Better yet, I had no idea that a stroke could happen in young people. I suffered my first stroke at 25 years old, and then again at 30 years old.
This or That
Do you know the signs of a stroke?
A stroke can happen to anyone
The American Stroke Association says that "stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts (or ruptures)." This causes damage and even death to the brain and its cells.1
Strokes do not discriminate, no matter how old or how young you are, and I found that out the hard way.
My personal history of stroke
My first stroke happened backstage at a fitness competition. I started feeling nauseous, and it was chalked up to nerves. I was losing my balance and falling to the floor when someone came and grabbed me.
The stroke happened in the right side of my brain, so I couldn’t move the left side of my body and couldn’t talk. The paramedics brought me to the hospital, and tPa (tissue plasminogen activator) was given to me intravenously. TPa is a medication that breaks up the clot in stroke patients.2
My second stroke happened at urgent care while I was receiving fluids because the doctors said that I was dehydrated. I needed to use the restroom, and the nurse never came after I pushed the call button, so I got up and unhooked myself and went to the bathroom. On the way out of the restroom, I fainted. This stroke happened in the left side of my brain; I suffered from paralysis on my right side as a result. This time, the doctors did a thrombectomy to remove the clot, and I spent some time at a rehab facility to learn to swallow, to walk, and to talk again.
Using F.A.S.T. to identify a stroke
Many people don’t know the signs of a stroke, even though knowing them can save a lot of lives. That is why the American Stroke Association came up with F.A.S.T.
F.A.S.T. is an acronym for signs of a potential stroke:3
- Face drooping or twisting
- Arm weakness
- Speech difficulty
- Time to call 911
Face drooping is when you notice one side of a person's face going slack or hanging downward. Ask them to smile and you will often be able to tell.
Arm weakness is often harder to see unless the person is holding something, but you can ask them to raise both arms and see if they are experiencing weakness in one of them.
The next one, speech difficulty, is one I know of personally. When someone starts slurring their words or can’t talk, ask them to repeat a phrase and see if it sounds unusual.
Time to call 911 is last but not least. If you notice any of the 3 signs before this, you should call 911 immediately. The reason for this is that if a stroke is diagnosed within 3 hours, patients can receive the best treatment options available. If it is over 3 hours, patients won't be able to get certain treatments.4
Additionally, always remember not to drive someone who is suspected of having a stroke to the hospital yourself. Call 911 instead. Paramedics are trained in performing life-saving aid, and EMS services can get someone to the hospital faster and also get them treatment faster.5
Every minute counts
When I was suffering my first stroke, it was recognized by the paramedics that I was having a stroke, and they took me straight to the hospital. When I was suffering the second stroke, the doctors couldn’t tell when the stroke started, so they didn’t give me the tPA medication like the first time. You become ineligible for tPA when it’s outside of the 3 hours, which is why the doctors performed a thrombectomy on me.4
This is why every minute counts when you are having a stroke. Using F.A.S.T. saves lives and puts people in the best position for treatment options and a better recovery.
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