Know the signs

My mother’s life was saved by a stubborn friend. As luck would have it, on Leap Day 2000 my mother had a lunch planned with a long-time friend, Marge. Mom left a meeting early that morning; she was having a crushing headache and just wanted to go home. She called Marge to tell her she had to cancel their lunch plans. Mom explained she had a terrible headache and she mentioned she was having trouble finding her words. Marge was immediately alarmed and wanted my mother to go to the hospital. My mother of course, insisted she did not need to go. Marge was no wilting lily, and advised my mother that she would drive her to the hospital or call an ambulance, but they were going to the hospital to get her checked out.

That week, my mother had two cerebral vascular events. Our lives were never the same, but we had more seven years with Mom. If my mother’s friend had not recognized the signs of a stroke and insisted she get to the hospital, we would have lost her that day.

Know the Signs

Because stroke injures the brain, you may not realize that you are having a stroke. To a bystander, someone having a stroke may just look unaware or confused. Stroke victims have the best chance if someone around them recognizes the symptoms and acts quickly.

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

The symptoms of stroke are distinct because they happen quickly:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body)
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

What should a bystander do?

If you believe someone is having a stroke – if he or she suddenly loses the ability to speak, or move an arm or leg on one side, or experiences facial paralysis on one side – call 911 immediately.