As Michiganders make plans for holiday travel and get-togethers, the American Heart Association is reminding people of the need to be vigilant to recognize strokes, something nearly 190,000 Michiganders experience each year.
Dr. Peter Panagos, and Emergency Medicine and Neurology Doctor at Washington University, says in cases of stroke, it’s most important to act “FAST.”
“F-A-S-T means facial asymmetry, kind of an abnormal facial droop. ‘A’ for arm weakness – unable to hold one arm up. And then the ‘S’ – speech difficulty, the speech slurred or difficult to comprehend. And then ‘T’ is time to call 9-1-1.”
Panagos says it’s important to identify your risk factors. Things like unrecognized or poorly treated high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, lack of exercise, and use of tobacco products should be discussed with your doctor.
He says the best treatment for stroke is prevention.
