Stay Informed

May/June 2008

Every 45 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a blocked or burst blood vessel. A stroke is sometimes called a “brain attack.” If blood flow is stopped for longer than a few seconds, the brain cannot get blood and oxygen. Brain cells can die, causing permanent damage.   

Neurologist Pradeep Bhatia, M.D., notes there are risk factors associated with stroke that can be reduced. “There are certain lifestyle-related risk factors that can be controlled and others that cannot. Those that people can control include blood pressure, smoking, alcohol consumption, diet and exercise. These are identifiable health issues that relate to stroke risk and that patients and their physicians can work on together to manage them,” he said.  

Recognizing the symptoms of stroke is critical to surviving and/or recovering from one. The acronym “F.A.S.T.” stands for Face, Arms, Speech and Time. Someone experiencing a stroke is in an emergency situation. Understanding these signs and symptoms may help save a life.  

FACE — Does one side of the face droop? Ask the person to smile.  

ARMS — Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift  
downward?  

SPEECH — Is speech slurred? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Is the sentence  
repeated correctly?  

TIME — If the person shows any of these symptoms, CALL 911 or get to the hospital immediately.
  
For more information about stroke, and to take a stroke risk assessment, visit www.rushcopley.com/stroke . If you’d like a free F.A.S.T. signs of stroke bookmark, please call 866-4COPLEY (1-866-426-7539).