STROKE is a condition where blood flow to the brain is interrupted and is deprived of oxygen leading to cell death and brain damage. During a stroke, time is of the essence. Brain can resist the absence of oxygen from minutes to maximum of four hours. Hence, immediate medical attention is vital. Sooner the patient is treated, greater the chance of survival and recovery.
Dr Karthikeyan S, Neurologist, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai encourgaes you to remember the sign BE FAST
B – BALANCE- Look at the patient balance while walking. If there is imbalance, this is not normal.
E – EYES- Look for any loss of vision or double vision.
F – FACE- Look at the patients face. Ask him/her to smile. Cheer the patient and look for deviation of mouth to one side
A – ARMS- Ask the patient is he/she can raise both the arms. If he/she can lift only one arm, it may signal a sign of stroke
S – SPEAK- Ask the patient to talk. If he/she cannot speak clearly and loss of speech/slurring is present it is not normal.
T – TIME- If the above signs are present call the ambulance. Immediate first few hours following a stroke is critical.
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