STROKE...Think Fast!
submitted by cangrow

It's a myth that strokes only hit the elderly: 25% occur in people younger than 65. If you think you or someone you are with might be having a stroke, use this checklist, FAST.

FACE: Is it numb? Does the smile suddenly sag or droop on one side?

ARM: Is one arm weak? Can both be raised easily?

SPEECH: Is a simple sentence like, "The sky is blue," slurred or jumbled?

TIME: Call 911, even if there's an improvement in condition.

A stroke is a "brain attack" that happens when blood flowis interrupted. "It's the third leading cause of death, but 40% of Americans can't name a single warning sign," says Dawn Kleindorfer; M.D., associate professor of neurology at the U of Cincinnati.

Rapid treatment can sometimes reverse stroke, break up clots and turn it all around- -but you have to get to the hospital right away.

Tell you family and friends about this FAST. You never know when this information

might be needed.