If you or someone with you has one or more of these signs, don't delay! Immediately call 9-1-1 or the emergency medical services (EMS) number so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life support) can be sent for you. Also, check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared. It's very important to take immediate action. If given within three hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug can reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.
A+CPR Trainers Sheri Peters
Office 515-491-9992
DIAL 911 FAST
Heart attack and stroke are life-and-death emergencies --every second counts. If you see or have any of these listed symptoms, call 9-1-1. Not all these signs occur in every heart attack or stroke. Sometimes they go away and return. If some occur, get help fast! Today heart attack and stroke victims can benefit from new medications and treatments unavailable to patients in years past. For example, clot-busting drugs can stop some heart attacks and strokes in progress, reducing disability and saving lives. But to be effective, these drugs must be given relatively quickly after heart attack or stroke symptoms first appear. So again, don't delay -- get help right away!
STROKE WARNING SIGNS.
The American Stroke Association says these are the warning signs of a stroke.
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balnce or coordination.
- Sudden severe heacache with no known cause.
ACT IN TIME FOR STROKE
The American heart Association and National Heat, Lung and Blood Institute have launched a new "Act In time" campaign to increase peoples awareness of stroke and the importance of calling 911 immediately at the onset of heart attack symptoms. Find the links here.