Use the F.A.S.T. test to determine quickly if someone could be having a stroke so you can respond immediately, potentially saving their life.
Understanding Stroke
In the United States, a stroke is the most common cause of death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Strokes strike more than 795,000 persons in the United States each year.
A stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and bleeds, or when the brain’s blood supply is cut off. The brain’s tissues cannot receive oxygen or blood because of the rupture or blockage. A lack of oxygen damages brain cells and tissue, causing them to die within a matter of minutes.
Identify a Stroke F.A.S.T.
The brain’s tissues are damaged by a lack of blood supply. When a brain area is destroyed, symptoms of stroke might be seen in the bodily parts that are affected. The sooner a stroke victim receives medical attention, the better their prognosis will be. Knowing the warning signs of a stroke can help you take action before it’s too late.
Signs and symptoms of stroke include:
- Paralysis
- Numbness on one side of the body
- Trouble speaking
- Vision problems
- Loss of coordination
- Dizziness
- Seizures
To identify if someone is having a stroke, you can check F.A.S.T.
F — Face: Check if the person’s one side of the face has dropped.
A — Arms: Check if the person can raise both arms.
S — Speech: Check if the person can repeat a phrase.
T — Time: If the person can’t execute any of these tests, call 911 immediately.
Types of Stroke
There are two types of stroke. These are:
Ischemic Stroke
Strokes caused by ischemia are by far the most common. A blood clot prevents oxygen and blood from reaching the brain, resulting in strokes. A substance called plaque can build up on the artery’s inner wall, causing a blockage.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
In comparison to ischemic strokes, hemorrhagic strokes are much less common. Blood vessels in the skull burst and spill into and around the brain, resulting in concussions. Your brain is harmed because of the lack of blood flow. Hemorrhagic stroke is a leading cause of death in people with high blood pressure.
Causes of Stroke
The cause of stroke depends on its type.
Ischemic Stroke
For people who have ischemic stroke, there are some things that can speed up the natural narrowing of your arteries as you get older. These include:
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- High cholesterol levels
- Diabetes
- Excessive alcohol intake
Hemorrhagic Stroke
For people who have hemorrhagic stroke, when the arteries in the brain are weak, they are more prone to split or rupture. Other causes for hemorrhagic stroke include:
- Obesity
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Smoking
- Physical inactivity
- Stress
Treatment for Stroke
After a stroke, it’s critical to get proper medical attention and treatment as soon as possible. “Time lost is brain lost,” say the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association.
Ischemic stroke is caused by a blood clot or blockage in the brain. Treatment may include:
- Clot-breaking Drugs
- Mechanical Thrombectomy
- Surgery
- Stents
Brain bleeds and leaks require different approaches to treatment than other types of stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke treatment options include:
- Blood-clotting Drugs
- Coiling
- Clamping
- Surgery
Visit your doctor to know what medications to take after having a stroke.
How to save money on your stroke medications with NSURx
Stroke medications are not cheap; out-of-pocket costs for meds can be up to $1,885 USD!
With the NSURx Prescription Benefit Card, you can save money on stroke medicines at more than 35,000 pharmacies across the United States.
Just show your pharmacist your NSURx card and you could save up to 80% on your stroke medication. This could save you THOUSANDS of dollars over the course of a year.
Additionally, the more you shop with NSURx, the more NSUR Coin you’ll earn as a reward! You can then use these reward tokens to make purchases in our online shopping platform.
