Understanding Stroke Symptoms with TidalHealth
SALISBURY, Md. – In this week’s Health Beat, brought to you by TidalHealth, WMDT spoke with Lauren Hitchens, TidalHealth’s Stroke Coordinator.
Hitchens spoke with us about the warning signs of a stroke, which can be memorized using the acronym BE FAST, which stands for the following:
- Balance: Sudden loss of coordination and/or onset of dizziness
- Eyes: Double or blurry vision; also sudden loss of vision
- Face: One side of the face becomes numb, causing a drooping appearance
- Arms: Weakness or numbness in one arm
- Speech: Slurred speech or difficulty speaking and/or comprehending what is being said
- Time: If these signs are present, it is time to act quickly and call 911
Hitchens told WMDT that “time” is the most crucial part of the acronym.
“Time stands for getting to the hospital as fast as you can, because the treatments that we have for stroke are all time dependent,” she explained. “We have only a couple of hours that we can actively treat the stroke in the hospital to reverse the signs of the stroke and improve quality of life.”
TidalHealth has many resources for stroke patients. There are several neurologists that patients can follow up with, in addition to a stroke support group through partnership with Compass Rehab in Salisbury. The support group is held once a quarter and allows patients to talk to other stroke survivors. Families are also welcome to attend and talk to other caregivers of stroke patients. Hitches said the group builds more of a community type environment for a stroke patients.
TidalHelath’s website has information on different types of stroke as well as different providers that can help treat stroke. You can view those resources here.
