When Stroke Occurs, BE FAST for Positive Outcomes
Author: Home Helpers of Kankakee and Frankfort
“Time is of the essence” is a phrase commonly used in contract law and construction projects to emphasize the importance of timely performance.
Time is of the essence when someone has a stroke, too, because it can take only minutes before a stroke makes or breaks a patient’s outcome.
May is Stroke Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to stress the importance of time when someone is having a stroke. Understanding the signs and symptoms of stroke and knowing that when stroke occurs, we must BE FAST for a positive outcome, could mean the difference between life and death.
What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when blood flow to brain cells is interrupted.
Verywell Health explains in more sophisticated terms, “A stroke is a medical emergency in which blood flow in the brain is either blocked (called an ischemic stroke) or bleeds (called a hemorrhagic stroke). A stroke can affect a person's movement, coordination, cognition, speaking, and more. Recovering from a stroke can be a challenging and emotional process and is different for everyone. The location, extent of the lesion or tissue involvement, time before treatment, and other factors all affect the outlook for recovery.2 However, experts have identified a general pattern of motor recovery from stroke.”
Signs and Symptoms of Stroke
I went to our local specialists at Riverside Healthcare and their award-winning Riverside Stroke Center to tap into their medical expertise.
“Did you know that having trouble speaking or understanding can be signs of a stroke? Sudden, severe headache, numbness, or blurred vision are also early warning signs, and being able to recognize them immediately could save your life,” Riverside explains.
The most common stroke symptoms include:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
BE FAST to Spot a Stroke
Outcomes vary depending on how quickly a person suffering a stroke receives medical attention, which is why we must BE FAST when a stroke is suspected. The BE FAST acronym is a means of identifying a possible stroke and a reminder to act quickly.
Balance – Loss of balance or coordination
Eyes – Blurred, double, or loss of vision
Face – Drooping or numbness of the face
Arm – Weakness or numbness of the arms or legs on one side of the body
Speech – Slurred speech, inability to speak, or difficulties understanding
Time – No time to waste! If any of these symptoms are identified, call 911 immediately!
“Stroke starts to destroy brain cells immediately. In fact, every one minute that passes, approximately 1.9 million brain cells are lost. The longer the brain is deprived of oxygen, the greater chance a person will have brain damage and disability,” says Natalie Lacer, Riverside Healthcare’s Stroke Program Coordinator.
Do NOT let time slip away if you suspect someone is having a stroke - BE FAST!
Stroke Treatment
Evaluation and treatment begin immediately in the field when a stroke victim is transported by ambulance. When they arrive at the emergency department at Riverside Stroke Center, they are quickly assessed by a physician and taken to the radiology department for a CAT scan.
A CAT scan may not detect a stroke, but it will indicate if there is bleeding in the brain. The patient is then returned to the emergency room where the teleneurology team coordinates the next course of action.
“If the patient is being seen within about a four-hour window of when the stroke initiated, they are eligible for a clot-busting medication. If within a 24-hour period, neurologists may proceed with a procedure called a thrombectomy.
“If you're not a candidate for either of those treatments, we will usually admit you to the hospital. We can treat you with different antihypertensives, statin therapy, aspirin, Plavix, that kind of thing. We would also, if needed, admit you to our rehab unit where we have 24-hour coverage, and they can work with you that way,” notes Lacer.
Riverside Stroke Center is located at 350 N Wall Street in Kankakee and serves all surrounding communities.
Home Helpers assists seniors and aging adults who have suffered a stroke by providing support for stroke recovery that includes a variety of in-home care services, like personal care, homemaker services, transportation assistance, and more, for everyone’s peace of mind. Our compassionate, highly trained caregivers will help you or your loved one progress through the stages of stroke recovery, no matter how long it takes.
I am available for a FREE Consultation to assess specific needs and discuss ways our caregivers can assist. This comprehensive assessment of needs will allow me to create a customized care plan to optimize our support for your stroke recovery.
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