San Juan Regional Medical Center wants community members to be able to recognize the warning signs of stroke. Early detection can lead to rapid intervention, which increases the chances of a full recovery.
Because strokes affect blood flow to the brain, rapid and effective treatment can save lives and provide the best chance of limiting the extent of long-term irreversible damage.
The acronym BE FAST can help people recognize a stroke: Balance – off, Eyes – vision changes; Face – drooping; Arm – weakness; Speech – difficulty; and Time – to call 911.
B and E are sudden changes, a sudden onset of balance lost or change in vision.
Check for face drooping by asking the person to smile. Check for arm weakness by asking the person to hold out their arms. Weakness could also be seen in the legs. Speech difficulty could include no speech, slurred speech or difficulty talking.
Having one of the symptoms indicates about a 73% chance the person is having a stroke.
For more information, contact Tina Biberdorf, stroke coordinator, at tbiberdorf@sjrmc.net or (505) 609-6431.
