Stroke: Act F.A.S.T.!

The video of TV reporter Serene Branson at the Grammys Sunday has gone viral.

Her unintelligible speech and inability to communicate has been more of a topic of conversation than perhaps the awards themselves. She was on site at the Staples Center to report on the ceremony—and what followed both surprised and worried thousands who were watching.

Was she having a stroke?

Perhaps….here is the video in case you haven’t seen it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biTEGZnSofs

Branson reported seeing a doctor on Monday and says she is feeling fine, but the episode was a reminder to everyone that a stroke can hit anyone of any age—and those around the stricken person can literally save their life---or maybe lesson and/or eliminate the specter of permanent disability.

If a stroke victim receives treatment within 3 hours of the attack, the prospects for that person’s recovery are MUCH higher. An acronym has been developed to help non-medical personnel deal with those we suspect may be stroke victims.

The acronym is: F.A.S.T, standing for Facial, Arm, Speech Test.

Any one of the symptoms revealed by F.A.S.T could mean stroke. Watch the following video, produced in England. Keeping in mind the stats are from the UK—and that the emergency number over there is 999 instead of 911, it is nevertheless very well done, informative—and investing ten minutes of your life in watching it could save someone else’s --embedding was disabled, so you'll have to click the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEmR4HaluYw&feature=related

Here is a shorter version of the same general advice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0EbBADTWXM&feature=related

My mother suffered a massive stroke a half-dozen years ago. Unfortunately, my father, who was suffering with Parkinson’s disease—was severely hampered in summoning help. He finally managed to get to a neighbor, who called an ambulance. By the time she received treatment, the damage had already been done. She lost her ability to speak—and completely lost movement on one side of her body, which eventually led to a leg amputation.

Mom passed away a little over a year ago---and the last five years of her life were a never-ending parade of pain, frustration and inability to communicate to her family or caregivers. I have often wondered what would have happened had the attack occurred in the presence of those who could have acted quickly. Perhaps the outcome would have been the same…but who knows?

If you and I learn the F.A.S.T. response, we can maybe save a life—or at least preserve some form of functioning—should we encounter someone having a stroke.

If you’d like my blog in your box, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com