Think ?FAST? to recognize signs of stroke

Editor?s note: The monthly To Your Heath column is a venue for Jefferson County Health Center to provide health information that will benefit The Fairfield Ledger?s readers.

To suggest ideas for future articles or to obtain information, call Jefferson County Health Center community relations manager Wanda Bagby at 469-4198.

February is cardiovascular month, time to look at heart health and stroke.

A stroke is when normal blood flow to the brain is blocked or there is bleeding into the brain. A stroke is a medical emergency that needs to be treated immediately. The sooner treatment is given, the better the chance that long term effects can be minimized.

There are two types of stroke, ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes occur when blood flow in the arteries of the brain is decreased or blocked by a clot. A hemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures or leaks.

Often times, people are diagnosed with TIA?s or transient ischemic attacks or more commonly known as ministrokes. These are periods that are briefly similar to a stroke but quickly resolve, lasting usually less than five minutes. TIA?s are a temporary interruption of blood flow to part of the brain, spinal cord or the retina. Having TIA?s puts you at a higher risk for a stroke but does not destroy brain cells.

If you think that you may be having a stroke you can use FAST to remember the warning signs.

FACE: does the face droop on either side while trying to smile?

ARMS: If trying to raise both arms, does one drop lower than the other?

SPEECH: Is the speech slurred? Can they repeat a simple sentence?

TIME: Every second counts, if any of these are present, call 911

Signs and symptoms of a stroke include: sudden numbness, weakness, paralysis of your face, arm, leg, sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech, visual changes, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, sudden severe headache, vomiting, altered level of consciousness, confusion and problems with memory or sudden fall.

Women, however; may complain of shortness of breath, fainting, sudden tiredness or sudden heart racing.

Risk factors for a stroke include: High blood pressure, previous stoke, smoking, diabetes, heart disease, age, being overweight, inactivity, binge drinking, illicit drug use, sleep apnea, family history, being over 55 and hormone therapies.

Reference: Stroke: First aid - Mayo Clinic. (2015). Retrieved January 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid/first-aid-stroke/basics/art-20056602

Staci Worley, RN BSN, is assistant out patient director at Jefferson County Health Center.