Written by Jennifer Lewis

Unfortunately, we hear it more and more often, “So and So had a stroke.” “So and so” is not always the person you would expect to have a stroke. Many times, “So and So” is someone we would imagine to be too young, too active or too healthy to have a stroke. And sometimes “So and So” meets all the “expected” criteria for a stroke — overweight, sedentary lifestyle, family history, poor diet or diagnosed with high blood pressure.

The hard facts are that stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the state. Specifically, in the coastal plain, the death rate from stroke is twice as high as the national average. Also worth noting is that stroke is the leading cause of adult disability. Let’s face it — we live in the nations’ stroke belt and eastern North Carolina is the buckle of that belt. Of course, as eastern North Carolinians, we would prefer to be known for our lovely waterways and coastal location and not our high risk of suffering a stroke!

Just as our geographic location has adapted us to instinctively prepare for hurricanes, our position in the stroke belt must prompt us to be aware of stroke symptoms. When the storms of life hit, whether they be medical or acts of nature, awareness is a powerful tool.

For this article’s purpose, I would like to focus on stroke awareness and leave hurricane preparedness for another author. First let me define what a stroke is. A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when the blood flow to the brain is disrupted. When blood flow stops, even for a short time, brain function is quickly lost. The most important thing to know about a stroke is “time is brain.” The quicker a stroke is identified, the quicker medical treatment can begin, thus the higher likelihood of survival and less disability.

Do you have to be a medical professional to spot the signs of a stroke? Absolutely not! By reading this article and retaining the simple acronym, F-A-S-T, you are able to identify the signs of a stroke in an individual and hopefully help preserve their quality of life.

F — Facial drooping or asymmetry can indicate a stroke is occurring. You can assess this by engaging the individual in conversation. Facial expressions will not look symmetric during casual conversation. You may notice when the individual smiles it appears crooked and unusual.

A — Arm weakness. The sudden loss of arm strength is also indicative of the occurrence of a stroke. Many times arm weakness is noticed when the individual drops an object out of their hand. You can assess for arm weakness by simply shaking hands or asking them to squeeze your hands.

S — Slurred Speech. Conversation that is slurred or simply does not make sense could indicate a stroke is occurring. While you may notice someone may drag out their words, another individual may speak words that are not coherent. Both are concerning and should not be ignored.

T — Time. If you notice any of the above symptoms. Time is crucial in stroke treatment. Preserving brain function and quality of life depends on the timeliness of medical interventions. If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Please remember, while we are getting geared up for the hurricane season that is upon us, do not neglect preparing for the other storms of life. Make it a priority to know the signs of a stroke. Remember to think F-A-S-T!

Jennifer Lewis, RN, community health improvement coordinator for Vidant Beaufort Hospital, can be reached at 252-975-8850 or at Jennifer.Lewis@vidanthealth.com.