To detect a stroke, you can use the FAST test. Here you can find out how this works and why it is essential to recognize a stroke as early as possible.
“Time is brain” (in German: “Time is brain”) – this motto is well known among medical professionals. When a stroke occurs, entire neural circuits perish due to narrowed or blocked arteries. The longer it remains untreated, the more cell damage the brain suffers: a stroke patient loses around 1.9 million nerve cells every minute.
The sooner the affected person gets medical help, the more brain cells can be saved. That’s why it’s so important to recognize a stroke early and call 911.
Recognizing a stroke: The FAST test
In order to make it possible for non-professionals to recognize a stroke, physicians have developed the FAST test. With this you can diagnose a stroke within a very short time. The test guides you through various steps in which you go through the main signs of a stroke:
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F – Face: In the first step you ask the affected person to smile. Because a stroke is characterized by paralysis. If the person does not manage to pull both corners of the mouth up, there may be a hemiplegia. One of the corners of the mouth hangs limply downwards.
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A – Arms: Ask the person to stretch both arms out in front and turn the palms up. If it is not possible to raise both arms or turn them accordingly, this also indicates signs of paralysis.
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S – Speech: You also ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. This could be, for example, “The weather is nice today”. In the event of a stroke, this is no longer possible. Because of speech disorders, the person can either no longer speak at all or only very slurred.
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T – Time: Call 112 as soon as possible and describe any symptoms you have experienced.
Stroke Testing with FAST: That’s why it’s important
(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / AlexDE)
If you can report to the emergency call center that you have carried out the FAST test and one or more aspects speak for a stroke, the paramedics can act immediately upon arrival. They may take the affected person to a specialized stroke unit, i.e. a stroke unit. According to the NDR, doctors can dissolve blood clots and prevent cell damage.
Even if the symptoms of the FAST test are temporary and then go away, the person should go to the emergency room immediately. In this case, it can already be the first early signs of a stroke.
The FAST app provides more information about the individual steps of the FAST test. This was developed by the German Stroke Aid Foundation.
We present a video that explains the principles of the FAST stroke test again, as well as two other videos on life-saving measures: 3 videos that can save lives: Short & worth seeing.
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