Stroke diagnosis: How to tell is someone has had a stroke: The signs, symptoms and what to look for

A stroke can leave the sufferer with more than one disability for the rest of their life, or even kill them fairly instantly.

When I was 19 my Mum, who was aged just 55, suffered a severe stroke. Through her Doctor's incompetence she did not receive treatment until her health was so damaged that she was left semi-paralysed, unable to utter but a few words. After three years, which saw my poor Mum suffer more than anyone really should, she passed away, fighting until the end.

With age and experience I have learned not to just accept a Doctor's blase diagnosis down a telephone line.

If you think that someone may have suffered a stroke get help and get it fast. Ring an ambulance by calling 911 in the USA, and 999 in the UK

As the advertising tells us:-

The quicker you act, the more of the person you will save, and I know all too well how true that is.

For me, the advice in this Hub is very personal. It could have made my Mum's prognosis so very different. I hope I never suffer a stroke but, as my Mum's sister and Mother, suffered the same fate, who knows. Looking after yourself can improve your chances but of course genetics plays a part.

When a person suffers a stroke time is of the essence.

Quickly detecting a stroke and getting the appropriate treatment is vital. The speed of receiving treatment will have a marked effect on the outcome.

So to repeat and stress:-

The quicker the stroke is diagnosed, the more of the person that can be saved

In recent years the UK has seen a huge television advertising campaign, aimed at helping people recognise the signs and symptoms of a stroke.

These adverts have tried to make sure that each and everyone one of us remembers the slogan, associates it with the signs and symptoms of a stroke, and quickly gets help when necessary.

The slogan is F.A.S.T and so these letters will be the 1-2-3-4 of this simple guide.

F - Step 1

• Look at the persons FACE.
• Is one side of the person's face drooping?

• This may only be a little but will be easily noticeable.

A - Step 2

• Ask the person to lift both arms.
• Even if they are able to do this they may not be able to hold both arms in the air.

• Does one arm tend to drift down?

S - Step 3

• Check the person's speech.
• Are they able to make a sensible sentence?

• Is their speech slurred?

T - Step 4

• Time is now of the essence
• You must now act FAST.
• If the person has one of the signs above call for an ambulance immediately.
• Do not waste precious time calling a doctor but call either 911 or, in the UK, 999.

• Ask for a blue light ambulance to be sent at once.

Additional symptoms could also be:-

• SUDDEN numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• SUDDEN confusion, trouble speaking or understanding even simple concepts, words or sentences.
• SUDDEN trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• SUDDEN trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or loss of coordination.
• SUDDEN severe headache with no known cause or reason.

As you can see the relevant word here is sudden. There will be people who experience some of the above as a normal matter of course. However, if in doubt check it out.

These symptoms could also be a sign that the person has had a mini-stroke or TIA.

Some of the Stroke risk factors.

• AGE-Your chances of having a stroke increase with age.
• GENDER-Strokes are more common among females.
• HEREDITARY-Your risk of having a stroke is higher if one or more close family members have suffered a stroke.
• RACE-Apparently Black, African Americans have a higher risk of suffering a stroke than white Americans.
• People with HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.
• CIGARETTE SMOKERS.
• Those with SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA
• Those with HIGH CHOLESTEROL

PLEASE NOTE THAT:- THE ABOVE LIST IS BY NO MEANS EXHAUSTIVE

Finally

As usual this simple Hub ended up rather larger than anticipated.

However the one message I hope to get across is F.A.S.T.

Please remember to check for the symptoms if necessary as young and old can unfortunately suffer a stroke. You could save some-one's life or perhaps someone may save YOURS.