Having a stroke means that your brain isn’t getting enough blood. You need to act fast if you think you’re having a stroke as it may be dangerous in potentially harming your brain, causing some kind of impairment, or even losing your life.
It is highly encouraged for you to try the FAST method, which may help you determine if you are having symptoms of a stroke. Here are all of the steps you should do.
- F stands for Face. Do this step by trying to smile and notice if one side of your face droops down.
- A stands for Arms. Do this step by lifting your arm up and paying attention if it falls right back down.
- S stands for Speech. Try talking and notice if your speech seems slurred and slowed down.
- Time stands for time. If it seems that you are experiencing any of the symptoms from all of the previous steps, it is best if you call 911 as soon as possible.
What are the warning signs that I need to pay immediate attention to?
Sometimes a stroke can happen slowly over time. However, you may likely experience at least one of several symptoms that may happen out of nowhere. Here are symptoms that you definitely shouldn’t ignore.
- Intense headaches without any reason
- Numbness in different body parts
- Difficulty balancing while walking
- Lightheadedness
- Confused or having issues with comprehending others
- Vision issues
- Difficulty talking
Are there ways to prevent a stroke?
Luckily, you may help prevent having a stroke by trying to live a more healthy lifestyle. One of the ways that may help prevent a stroke is to stay away from smoking tobacco and even secondhand smoking. Another way to help prevent a stroke is to avoid drinking alcohol, as drinking too much may cause an irregular heartbeat. Lastly, lowering your blood pressure is extremely important. In fact, a stroke is usually caused by high blood pressure. Therefore, it is very important that you watch your blood pressure to reduce your chances of having a stroke.
There may be various factors that can lead up to having a stroke. It is best to remember that you can take preventative measures to reduce the chances of having a stroke. Staying healthy is essential to protecting your body from harm.
