Know the signs of a stroke

As May draws to a close, we want to remind you of how to identify the signs of a stroke. According to the CDC, 800,000 Americans have a stroke and nearly 150,000 will die from it each year. Anyone, including children, can have a stroke at any time.

Think FAST: face, arms, speech and time.

F = Face drooping: Ask the person to smile. Does one side droop?
A = Arm weakness: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S = Speech difficulty: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred?
T = Time to call 9-1-1: If the person shows any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately. Stroke treatment can begin in the ambulance.

More resources:

• CDC: Stroke signs and symptoms
• American Stroke Association
• Public Health: Seattle and King County