Inspire Magazine Spring 2017 | Page 11

Use the letters in " FAST " to spot stroke signs so you know when to call 911 .

F A S T

FACE DROOPING
ARM WEAKNESS
SPEECH DIFFICULTY
TIME TO CALL 911 !
FACE Does one side of the face droop or is it numb ? Ask the person to smile . Is the person ' s smile uneven or lopsided ?
HEART CARE FUND
Donations to the Pali Momi Stroke Care Fund help provide medical equipment , staff education , community awareness and improve patient care .
defibrillators and life-support equipment . This type of hands-on learning environment will greatly enhance trauma care abilities and emergency situations such as Code Stroke ( stroke emergency ) and Code STEMI ( cardiac emergency ).
“ Pali Momi has a vision for treating our community and we are honored to help provide the tools necessary to save lives ,” said Gidget Ruscetta , chief operating officer at Pali Momi . “ Practice makes perfect . These simulation manikins , medical equipment and software are the future of health care . Being prepared is everything .”
ARM WEAKNESS Is one arm weak or numb ? Ask the person to raise both arms . Does one arm drift downward ?
SPEECH DIFFICULTY Is speech slurred ? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand ? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence , like " The sky is blue ." Is the person able to correctly repeat the words ?
TIME TO CALL 911 If someone shows any of these symptoms , even if the symptoms go away , call 911 and say , " I think this is a stroke " to help get the person to the hospital immediately . Time is important ! Don ' t delay , and also note the time when the first symptoms appeared . Emergency responders will want to know .
Additional Signs of Stroke
• Sudden confusion , trouble speaking or understanding speech .
• Sudden numbness or weakness of face , arm or leg . Especially on one side of the body .
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes .
• Sudden trouble walking , dizziness , loss of balance or coordination .
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause .
Signs of a Stroke courtesy of the American Stroke Association
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