How to B.E. F.A.S.T. in recognizing signs of stroke

HOUSTON – Did you know stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States?

However, in many cases, a stroke can be prevented. To understand the causes and symptoms of stroke, Memorial Hermann’s Stroke Coordinators Saundra Small and Tressa Sumners stopped by with a guide to B.E. F.A.S.T. in making a difference.

Watch the full interview in the video above.

Symptoms of a stroke vary depending on the type of stroke and what part of the brain is damaged. Common symptoms of a stroke include:

• Blurred vision, brief blindness, or double vision
• Severe headache (typically seen with hemorrhagic stroke)
• Difficulty speaking
• Confusion or loss of memory
• Difficulty writing or reading
• Temporary memory problems
• Muscle weakness on one side of your body
• Vertigo (like the room is spinning) and dizziness
• Trouble speaking or understanding others who are speaking
• Strange sensations, such as burning or tingling
• Trouble with coordination, clumsiness
• Loss of consciousness
• New or changed headache

If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the symptoms, call 911. Until help arrives, the acronym B.E. F.A.S.T. can help you remember the warning signs.

• BALANCE: Is there a sudden loss of balance or coordination?
• EYES: Is there sudden double or blurred vision and/or sudden trouble seeing that persists?
• FACE: Ask the person to smile. Is one or both sides drooping?
• ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one side drift downward? Weakness or numbness on one side?
• SPEECH: Does the person have slurred/garbled speech? Can he/she repeat a simple phrase?
• TIME: If you observe any of these signs, call 911 immediately and note the time symptoms began.

Memorial Hermann has a network of accredited stroke centers across Houston. You can learn more by visiting memorialhermann.org/stroke or calling 713-704-7100.