9. Trouble Speaking
During a stroke, many people suddenly have difficulties speaking, have incoherent or slurred speech, or use words incorrectly. Mumbling can also be a warning sign of a cerebrovascular accident.
When you notice your loved one has trouble speaking, they may not be able to understand what you’re saying to them or may find it hard to have a conversation with you.
10. Weakness
When someone is having a stroke, they may not be able to move their hand, arm, and/or leg properly. If your loved one is experiencing this type of weakness, you may notice that they want to consistently lie down or sit down and that they often have trouble doing simple tasks.
B.E. F.A.S.T.
To help you remember some of the cerebrovascular accident signs, Stroke Awareness made the acronym “B.E. F.A.S.T,” which stands for:
Balance lost: Ask your family member to stand or walk a few steps. If they are having difficulty, they may be experiencing a stroke.
Eyesight loss: Have your loved one read a word, a sentence, or a clock near them. If they are unable to do that, they are dealing with visual issues and possibly having a cerebrovascular accident.
Face dropping: Ask your family member to smile. If one side of their face feels numb or seems to drop, they may be having a stroke.
Arm weakness: Ask your loved one to raise both arms over their head. If they find it hard to do that due to muscle weakness or one arm seems to remain still, these are clear signs of a stroke.
Speech difficulty: Have your family member repeat a simple sentence, such as their name or something about the weather. They may have difficulty remembering or repeating the words; their speech may be nonsensical and slurred.
Time to call 911: If your loved one has trouble passing any of these tests or is dealing with any of these symptoms, it’s time to call 911. Even if you’re not certain they’re having a stroke, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Immediate medical care is extremely important for minimizing the lasting effects of a stroke.
You may also want to read 8 Signs of a Heart Attack Seniors May Feel.
