Nnadozie Gabriel C.: What Everyone Needs to Know about BE FAST
Nnadozie Gabriel C., Founder at TRiBE HQ, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Someone can look fine in the morning and develop a life-threatening stroke minutes later.
Would you recognise the signs?
A stroke occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures.
When brain cells don’t receive the oxygen and nutrients they need, they can begin to die.
This is why recognising the warning signs and seeking emergency care immediately can save a life.
4 Warning signs of stroke you should never ignore
Remember BE FAST:
- B – Balance Sudden loss of balance, dizziness, or difficulty walking.
- E – Eyes Sudden changes in vision, including blurred or lost vision.
- F – Face One side of the face may droop. Ask the person to smile and observe whether both sides move equally.
- A – Arms One arm may become weak or numb. Ask the person to raise both arms and check whether one drifts downward.
- S – Speech Speech may suddenly become slurred, unclear, or difficult to understand. The person may also struggle to find words.
- T – Time to act! If you notice any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Other warning signs include sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, sudden confusion, and a sudden severe headache without an obvious cause.
What Should You Do if Someone May Be Having a Stroke?
Seek emergency medical help immediately.
Do not wait to see whether the symptoms disappear.
Note the time the symptoms started.
If you don’t know when they began, note when the person was last seen well.
This information can help guide treatment.
Do not give them food, drinks, or medication unless directed by medical professionals.
A stroke can affect swallowing, and some treatments may be harmful if given without proper assessment.
Do not attempt to treat the person at home. Avoid unproven remedies or delaying care to try traditional treatments.
Remember that symptoms that disappear still need urgent assessment. Temporary stroke-like symptoms can indicate a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), which requires immediate medical evaluation.
Who is at Risk?
Stroke can affect people of different ages, although the risk generally increases with age.
Important risk factors include:
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Smoking.
- High cholesterol.
- Certain heart conditions.
- Physical inactivity and other lifestyle-related risk factors.
Managing these risks and attending appropriate medical check-ups can help reduce the likelihood of stroke.”
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