When the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, causing a part of the brain to die, it’s called a stroke, or “brain attack.” Stroke is similar to a heart attack, but it affects the blood vessels in the brain instead of the heart.

Signs and Symptoms

■ Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.

■ Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.

■ Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

■ Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.

■ Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Fist Aid

If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do the following test:

■ F—Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

■ A—Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

■ S—Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?

■ T—Time: If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.

NOTE: The stroke treatments that work best are available only if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within 3 hours of the first symptoms. Stroke patients may not be eligible for these if they don’t arrive at the hospital in time.