How do I know if someone is having a stroke?
-
Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:A stroke can happen suddenly and may be hard to detect. Dr. Oz reveals in this video what everyone should do if they think someone is having a stroke.
A stroke can happen suddenly and may be hard to detect. Dr. Oz reveals in this video what everyone should do if they think someone is having a stroke. More -
Dr. Michael Roizen answered:If you even vaguely suspect someone (you?) is having a stroke, act F-A-S-T. It's short for:
- Face. Ask the person to smile (if it's you, look in a mirror). If one side droops, it could be a stroke.
- Arms. Ask the person to raise them. If one arm drifts downward, it could be a stroke.
- Speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. If the speech is garbled or strange, it could be a stroke.
- Time. See signs? Call 911 right away.
If you even vaguely suspect someone (you?) is having a stroke, act F-A-S-T. It's short for: Face. Ask the person to smile (if it's you, look in a mirror). If one side droops, it could be a stroke. Arms. Ask the person to raise them. If one arm... More -
American Red Cross answered:As with other sudden illnesses, looking or feeling ill, or behaving in a strange way, are common general signs of a stroke or mini-stroke. Specific signs include:
- Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, usually on only one side of the body
- Facial droop or drooling
- Trouble speaking or understanding others' speech
- Loss of vision, blurred vision, or dimmed vision in one or both eyes; the pupils may be of unequal size
- Sudden severe headache, perhaps described as “the worst headache ever”
- Dizziness, confusion, agitation, loss of consciousness, or other severe altered mental status
- Loss of balance or coordination, trouble walking, or ringing in the ears
- Incontinence
As with other sudden illnesses, looking or feeling ill, or behaving in a strange way, are common general signs of a stroke or mini-stroke. Specific signs include: Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, usually on only one... More -
SecondsCount.org answered:A quick check for stroke symptoms can save a stroke victim’s life. If you notice a sudden change in the appearance or behavior of someone you are with, make sure it is not a stroke. Ask that person to do these three simple things:
- Smile. Is it the smile you know and love? Or, is one corner of the mouth drooping down?
- Close your eyes and raise your arms. Are the arms held high together, or is one drifting back down to the side?
- Repeat a simple phrase. Why not make it funny? If the person is fine, you can laugh about it later. Try “If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.” Listen for slurred words and unusual sounding speech.
If you notice a droopy, lopsided smile, one arm held lower than the other or drifting down on its own, or slurred speech without reasonable explanations, call 911 immediately and tell the operator that you are with someone who needs to get to a stroke treatment center as quickly as possible.
A quick check for stroke symptoms can save a stroke victim’s life. If you notice a sudden change in the appearance or behavior of someone you are with, make sure it is not a stroke. Ask that person to do these three simple things: Smile.... More -
Riverside Heart and Vascular Center answered:Know the test to recognize the signs of a stroke:
F.A.S.T.- F = Face: Ask the person to smile. Drooping on one side of the mouth or face is a sign of a stroke.
- A = Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. One arm that slowly comes back down or cannot be raised is a sign of a stroke.
- S = Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence that you say first. Speech that is slurred or strange sounding is a sign of a stroke.
- T = Time: If you see that the person has any of these signs, it is an emergency. Call an ambulance to take the person to the hospital.
Know the test to recognize the signs of a stroke: F.A.S.T. F = Face: Ask the person to smile. Drooping on one side of the mouth or face is a sign of a stroke. A = Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. One arm that slowly comes back down... More -
RealAge answered:Although symptoms of a stroke are sometimes difficult to identify, this basic one-minute test will help you identify the facial weakness, arm weakness, or speech problems that typically occur after a stroke. Ask the person to do the following three tasks:
- Smile
- Raise both arms
- Speak a simple sentence
If he or she has trouble with any of these, immediately call 911 and describe the symptoms. If an individual can complete these tasks but displays other symptoms, they may still require emergency attention.
Although symptoms of a stroke are sometimes difficult to identify, this basic one-minute test will help you identify the facial weakness, arm weakness, or speech problems that typically occur after a stroke. Ask the person to do the... More -
Dr. Natalia Rost answered:The National Stroke Association has devised the FAST checklist ("Act FAST") to help determine whether a person is having a stroke.
If the answer to any of the questions below is yes, there's a high probability that the person is having a stroke.
- Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
- Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Does he or she fail to repeat the sentence correctly?
- Time: If the answer to any of these questions is yes, time is important. Call 911 or get to the hospital fast. Brain cells are dying.
The National Stroke Association has devised the FAST checklist ("Act FAST") to help determine whether a person is having a stroke.If the answer to any of the questions below is yes, there's a high probability that the person is having a stroke.... More -
Intermountain Healthcare answered:During a stroke, every second counts. B.E. F.A.S.T! Call 911 if you see any of the stroke symptoms below:
- B: Balance. Is there a sudden loss of balance or coordination? (To check, ask the person to walk a straight line or touch each finger to his nose.)
- E: Eyes. Are there sudden vision changes? (To check, ask if the person has double vision or cannot see out of one eye.)
- F: Face. Does one side of the face droop? (To check, ask the person to smile.)
- A: Arm. Does one arm drift downward? (To check, ask the person to raise both arms.)
- S: Speech. Are the words slurred? Is speech confused? (To check, ask the person to repeat a sentence.)
- T: Time the symptoms began. When was the person last seen looking or acting normally? Write down the exact time symptoms began. Give this information to paramedics.
During a stroke, every second counts. B.E. F.A.S.T! Call 911 if you see any of the stroke symptoms below: B: Balance. Is there a sudden loss of balance or coordination? (To check, ask the person to walk a straight line or touch each finger to... More -
Dr. Cynthia R. Green answered:This simple three-step test, developed by researchers, is highly effective in identifying a stroke. If you suspect a stroke, try the following three things -- if the person fails any of them, get to the ER as quickly as possible for an evaluation:
- Smile. Ask the person to smile. Look for asymmetry (unevenness) in their facial expression (for example, if one corner of their mouth droops).
- Raise both arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Look for asymmetry in the height they can raise them.
- Repeat a simple sentence. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, such as, "No ifs, ands, or buts." Check for slurring or other disruption of speech.
This simple three-step test, developed by researchers, is highly effective in identifying a stroke. If you suspect a stroke, try the following three things -- if the person fails any of them, get to the ER as quickly as possible for an... More
