It is important to remember that recognizing the symptoms of stroke can make all the difference.
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is cut off. When this happens, brain cells can die or be damaged. As a stroke happens, there are signs and recognizing these signs can help increase your chance of recovery.
In the U.S., stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability and the fifth most common cause of death, according to the American Stroke Association. In Kentucky, we are considered in the Stroke Belt. People born in states in the Stroke Belt are two times more likely to have a stroke than people born in other U.S. regions.
Learn to BE FAST
Every moment counts during a stroke. Time is brain, meaning time saved is brain saved.
Help us raise awareness of stroke and potentially save someone’s life by recognizing the warning signs of stroke by using BE FAST.
B – Balance: Sudden loss of balance is a common indicator of a stroke.
E – Eyes: This includes loss of vision out of one eye, blurriness in one or both eyes and/or sudden double vision.
F – Facial drooping: One way to check for facial drooping is smiling to see if both sides of your face are even with the smile.
A – Arms: This step includes holding both arms out to see if one arm starts to droop down uncontrollably.
S – Speech: This includes sudden speech trouble where speech is slurred, words cannot be said normally or verbal expression is lost unexpectedly.
T – Time to call 911.
BE FAST was developed by Intermountain Healthcare, as an adaptation of the FAST model implemented by the American Stroke Association. Reproduced with permission from Intermountain HealthCare. © 2011 Intermountain HealthCare. All rights reserved.
UofL Health is Here for You
If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of a stroke but are unsure where to get help, UofL Health – Emergency Departments are open 24/7 and provide patients with around-the-clock emergency care.
Our stroke experts with UofL Health – Brain & Spine Institute are committed to helping prevent and treat strokes. Several UofL Health hospitals have premier designations and specially trained staff to care for stroke patients, including:
- UofL Health – UofL Hospital – Comprehensive Stroke Center, which is Kentucky’s first Joint Commission-certified Comprehensive Stroke Center
- UofL Health – Jewish Hospital – Primary Stroke Center
- UofL Health – Mary & Elizabeth Hospital – Primary Stroke Center
Your Home for Post-Stroke Care
UofL Health – Frazier Rehabilitation Institute – Stroke Program provides comprehensive services to individuals who have experienced a stroke and to the individuals’ families and support systems. The program serves patients of all ages, with the goal of restoring individuals to optimal levels of physical, cognitive and emotional recovery following stroke. For more information, call 502-582-7476.
Support After Stroke
Stroke care doesn’t end when you leave the hospital. Many stroke survivors and their caregivers experience a range of emotions as they adjust back to normal daily activities, and our team is here to help. Join us for our free support groups where you can enjoy talking openly with others who share similar experiences. Learn more about our support groups.
