Different stroke signs for different folks

A recent National Stroke Association Survey found that one in three Americans can’t name a single stroke symptom. What’s more, women are more likely to experience different, nontraditional symptoms than men do — leading to delayed treatment. This delay can be deadly. Do you know the symptoms?

    Stroke symptoms common to men and women include sudden onset of:

• numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• severe headache with no known cause
• problems with memory, spatial orientation or perception

    Women may experience sudden onset of:

• pain in the face, chest, arms or legs
• a seizure
• a pounding or racing heartbeat
• hiccups
• nausea
• general weakness or fatigue
• shortness of breath
• loss of consciousness, fainting, falls or accidents

Every minute counts
   To help remember the most common stroke symptoms and seek prompt medical treatment, think of the acronym FAST:

Face. Does one side of the face drop when asked to smile?

Arms. When raising both arms, does one arm drift downward?

Speech. When trying to repeat a simple sentence, are the words slurred or incorrect?

Time. Rush to emergency care immediately for evaluation and treatment.