Know the warning signs of stroke

Q: What are the warning signs of stroke?

A: Remember the acronym F.A.S.T., an easy way to spot sudden signs of stroke.

Facial drooping

Arm weakness or drifting

Speech difficulty

Time is of the essence

It is important to act fast if you see any of these signs. During a stroke, the brain loses oxygen, permanently damaging millions of nerve cells per minute. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, strokes kill almost 130,000 Americans a year.

There are two types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic. An ischemic stroke is caused by a blockage in the arteries supplying blood to the brain. A ruptured blood vessel in the brain causes a hemorrhagic stroke.

Various risk factors contribute to stroke, including hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, atrial fibrillation, atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries), smoking, and consuming excessive alcohol. Controlling these factors can limit your risk of a stroke.

If you've suffered a stroke, you are at a higher risk for another. It is important to adhere to your medications and heed medical advice to mitigate your risk.

If you or someone near you appears to be having a stroke, call 911. Do not hesitate. The first three hours are critical. The paramedics will likely take the patient to a primary stroke center, where doctors will need to provide immediate treatment. Doctors will commonly perform a CAT scan of the brain to see whether an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke occurred. For an ischemic stroke, doctors sometimes can prescribe medication to dissolve the clot in the brain. For a hemorrhagic stroke, surgery may be required.

See your doctor yearly, take your prescribed medications, and manage contributing factors to reduce your risk of stroke.