Two million brain cells die every minute during a stroke, so it goes without saying that time is of the essence. When a person suffers from a stroke, every second counts. According to the National Stroke Association, 795,000 strokes occur every year, and they can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of race, gender or age. 

If you don't act fast, a stroke can cause permanent brain damage or death. Ironically, FAST is just the acronym used to detect stroke. Early detection is imperative to reduce damage. The American Heart Association recommends following the FAST program: 

• (F)ace drooping;
• (A)rm weakness;
• (S)peech difficulty;
• (T)ime to call 9-1-1. 

FAST identifies three warning signs of stroke, but there are several more that raise the red flag. 

The FAST Program Stroke Signs 

One of the first things you may notice about a stroke victim is that his or her face will become limp or numb. Ask the person to try to smile and watch the corners of his or her mouth. If only one side raises and he or she is unable to raise the other corner, this is one sign the individual may be suffering a stroke. 

Difficulty speaking is another warning sign something is amiss. Ask the victim to repeat a simple sentence like, "The ball is red." If his or her speech is slurred, words are omitted or he or she is only half-forming words, this may be another indication that she is suffering a stroke. 

Finally, dexterity may suffer in one arm, typically the left arm, so that the victim cannot raise and hold it up completely. Ask the person if either arm is numb or weak, have him or her raise both arms and watch to see if one droops or cannot be raised as far as the other arm. 

More Important Signs of a Stroke 

Sudden, severe headaches are often a sign that a person is experiencing a stroke, especially if he or she does not have a history of migraines and has not suffered recent head trauma. The person also may experience blurred vision or even vision loss during this time. 

Coordination is key. Many stroke victims have trouble balancing, so you may want to test his or her ability to stand on one leg or walk a straight line. If the person could not walk properly before the potential stroke occurred, test coordination by asking him or her to pick up a light object like a cup and bring it to the lips. Remember that older people may not be able to perform these tasks normally, so a loss of coordination and balance is not always a sure sign of a stroke. 

Any one of these signs on its own is not a definite indicator that the person is suffering a stroke. However, if the symptom is enough to raise the suspicion, he or she should seek medical attention immediately. A stroke is also called a "brain attack" because it does rapid damage to the brain, so any delay in stroke treatment could be life threatening. 

Communication is Key to Stroke Treatment 

Knowing your loved ones' medical history is important in identifying potential warning signs of a stroke and assessing his or her risk of suffering this type of injury. Men who are older than 55 who are African-American, Pacific/Islander or Hispanic are at a greater risk than other people. 

Additional risk factors that should be monitored and considered include: 

• diabetes;
• high cholesterol;
• high blood pressure;
• smoking;
• obesity;
• drinking alcohol to excess; and
• family history of strokes. 

People who have already had a stroke are also at risk for a secondary stroke or a TIA -- Transient Ischemic Attack. This is known as a "mini stroke" and can be a precursor to a major stroke later in life. All of these factors should be made known to medical providers when responding to a stroke because they could impact the types of stroke treatment provided to the victim. 

Strokes can happen in an instant, so quick reaction with the FAST program is one of the keys to survival. Note the time the first symptom presented itself because it could be an important clue to a person’s health. Not all stroke signs are signs of a full stroke. If they are signs of a TIA, a physician will be able to diagnose it as such and acknowledge the risk of a full-blown stroke. 

Talk to your doctor about stroke risks and preventive measures your loved one can take to reduce the risk of a stroke. This advice can benefit anyone at any age, whether he or she has suffered a TIA or not. 

Two Kinds of Stroke: Common Signs, Different Treatments 

Dr. Deaver Shattuck, Stroke Medical Director at Blount Memorial Hospital in Tennessee, says that while there are several common signs and symptoms that occur with a stroke, there are two very different types of strokes. 

"You have a stroke that cuts off blood supply to the brain, and you have the kind of stroke where you actually bleed into the brain," he says. A stroke where blood supply is cut off is known as an ischemic stroke and typically is caused by a blood clot obstructing blood flow to the brain. According to the American Heart Association, 87 percent of all stroke cases are ischemic. 

Hemorrhagic strokes happen when a weakened blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into the brain. This is most commonly seen in patients with high blood pressure whose veins are under more pressure than normal people. Dr. Shattuck notes that hemorrhagic strokes "...are much more deadly and can result in more disabilities for those patients, mostly because there just aren't many effective therapies for them." 

Stroke treatments are improving, and with quick action, lifestyle changes and therapy, many victims often recover completely from their injuries. However, the key to recovery is quick action. The faster treatment can be administered, the smaller the degree of brain damage suffered. 

If you or a loved one suddenly feels something's abnormal about speech, dexterity or sensation, it's best to act FAST and call 9-1-1 immediately. Quick thinking can save stroke victims' lives!