10TV: Spotting the Warning Signs of Stroke

While stroke is the 5th leading cause of death in the U.S., it is also preventable, treatable and beatable. As a part of World Stroke Day 2015, 10TV News Anchor, Tracy Townsend, had a chance to talksit down with OhioHealth stroke neurologist, Dr. BJ Hicks, as well as a recent stroke survivor, Susan Danis, about the signs and symptoms of stroke.

Although Susan could not recall much about the onset of her stroke, her husband remembers that she had no physical symptoms, only difficulty saying certain words. Thinking that she was suffering from low blood sugar due to diabetes, he took her to OhioHealth Riverside Hospital. Upon arrival, it was determined that Susan was having a stroke and treatment was quickly administered. </p>

Do you know the signs of stroke?

Dr. BJ Hicks explains that that 2 million brain cells are lost every minute during a stroke, and 15 minutes can lead to a month of disability. This is why, when it comes to recognizing stroke signs and symptoms, the American Stroke Association prompts people to think F.A.S.T:

• F – A changing or drooping face
• A – Weakness or numbness in the arm
• S – Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
• T - Time

In the case of Susan’s stroke, time made all the difference as her symptoms were resolved within 18 hours.

After you watch the fullis story, be sure to review thecheck out FAST - the signs of stroke, and then, head on over to our stroke risk assessment page and find out your risk for stroke.