Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. And more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year – about 610,000 (77%) of these are first or new strokes.
During a stroke, every minute counts! The best treatments only work if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within 3 hours of the first symptoms. It’s important you know the signs and symptoms so you can help someone seek treatment right away. Thankfully, there’s an easy way to test if someone might be having a stroke – think F.A.S.T.!
F = FACE
Does one side of their face look droopy? To check, ask them to smile.
A = ARMS
Can the person lift both arms? Does one of the arms drop down?
S = SPEECH
Ask the person to repeat a sentence. Are they slurring or speaking differently?
T = TIME
Once a person begins showing signs of a stroke, time is critical! If you see any of these signs call 911. Never try to take a stroke victim in your car – always call for help. Also, make sure to note the time when symptoms appear and share that information with paramedics. This starts the clock to get the most successful treatment options started.
Anyone can have a stroke at any age. And there are factors that can increase your chances of having a stroke, so it’s important to know how to prevent them. Here are some common conditions that increase your risk for stroke:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Being overweight
Blue KC is here to help you with stroke prevention, and one convenient way to get help is through our Care Management App. Through the app, you can chat securely with a Registered Nurse about your risk for stroke or any of the conditions mentioned above. Simply scan this QR code with your smartphone to get started:
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023). Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs_symptoms.htm.
National Center for Health Statistics. Multiple Cause of Death 2018–2021 on CDC WONDER Database. Accessed May 18, 2023.
Tsao CW, Aday AW, Almarzooq ZI, Beaton AZ, Bittencourt MS, Boehme AK, et al. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2023 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2023;147:e93–e621.