Mercy Health honors May as National Stroke Awareness Month with ‘BE FAST’

About every 40 seconds, someone in America has a stroke — a leading cause of death and disability.

So, Mercy Health — Lorain is observing Stroke Awareness Month to bring attention to the signs and symptoms of stroke, information that can save a life when recognized early, according to a news release.

“Every second counts, because millions of brain cells immediately begin to die when a stroke occurs,” said Neurologist Dhruv Patel, MD. “How soon you’re able to get treatment can mean the difference between a full recovery and permanent disability or even death.”

There are three types of strokes: An ischemic stroke happens when the supply of blood to your brain is blocked; a hemorrhagic stroke occurs when the blood vessels around your brain tissue burst; and the last type is called a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which involves a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain.

“These are sometimes referred to as a ‘mini-stroke’ because the symptoms typically only last a few minutes, but it’s just as important that you seek medical attention right away,” Patel said. “Too many people shrug it off thinking, ‘Oh, it went away so I’m fine,’ but the truth is a TIA is a huge red flag that things are not fine.

“This is your body’s way of warning you to take action before it’s too late,” said Patel.

Medical experts say anytime someone experiences stroke symptoms, they need to “be fast,” according to the release.

Not only will remembering that phrase remind people to act quickly, but it can also help them recall the most common side effects of a stroke:

• Balance — Is the person dizzy? Can they walk?

• Eyes — Can the person see? Is their vision blurry?

• Facial Droop — Can they smile? Is one side of their face sagging?

• Arm Weakness — Are their arms moving normally? Is one arm weaker or numb?

• Speech Difficulty — Is it slurred or strange when asked to say simple phrases?

• Time to Call 911 — Don’t waste time getting help, and do not try to drive yourself.

“Calling 911 is crucial to saving time when every minute counts toward getting a better outcome,” according to the release. “It allows EMS to begin initial assessments during the ride to the hospital, and they can also alert our teams so we can prepare to begin testing and treating the patient immediately upon their arrival.”