You’re enjoying a dinner out, and your date begins slurring words — a lot more than you’d expect after one glass of wine. Or, your spouse suddenly says they can’t see out of one eye, but their vision returns in a few minutes. You’re folding clothes on laundry day, and one arm feels a bit weak, but you finish your task and go on about your day.
These are all possible symptoms of a stroke that could cripple or even kill.
“Unfortunately, we see this happen too often. People downplay their symptoms or hesitate to call for help. It’s totally understandable, but it can be dangerous,” says Vashon’s Interim Fire Chief Ben Davidson. “No one wants to believe they’re having a serious medical emergency, and many folks tell us they didn’t want to bother us. But when it comes to something like a stroke, every minute counts. Don’t wait. Don’t second-guess. Call 911.”
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted due to a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel. A stroke kills as many as two million brain cells every minute, while oxygen and nutrients aren’t supplied by normal blood flow. This cell death can lead to permanent damage and disabilities. The extent of damage and potential for recovery depend on the stroke’s severity, location, and promptness of treatment.
That’s why a fast response is so important in a stroke situation. It may be tempting to ignore symptoms that seem minor or temporary, but stroke symptoms that last only a few minutes are frequently a harbinger of a more severe event to follow, so don’t ignore them — get help right away! If it is a stroke, fast action really can save a life or prevent a life-altering disability.
If you call 911, Vashon Island Fire & Rescue and Medic One emergency responders can quickly get you to an emergency room to diagnose the type and location of a stroke and begin treatment. Fast treatment will limit disabling brain injury and often lead to full recovery.
What to Do: BE FAST Questions
Experts have created an acronym to help you understand when you have symptoms that could be a stroke. It’s B-E-F-A-S-T. Run through these questions to help you know if you or someone you know might be having a stroke.
Balance: Is the person stumbling or walking in an uncoordinated way?
Eyes: Has the person’s vision blurred? Are they seeing double? Did they lose vision in one eye?
Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
Arms: Ask them to lift both arms. Does one arm drift downward? Is one arm difficult to raise?
Speech: Get the person to repeat a simple phrase. “Did you walk the dog?” “What is the weather like?” Is their speech slurred or otherwise odd?
Time: Is “yes” the answer to any one of these questions? Call 911 now.
A delay could make it impossible to stop or even reverse brain damage, which could be fatal or permanently disabling. A person dies from a stroke every three minutes in America.
