Witnessing someone experiencing a stroke can be very frightening. Staying calm might just save a life.

If you have the unfortunate experience of witnessing someone having a stroke, act quickly! The sooner a person suffering a stroke gets to the emergency room, the better their chances are that doctors will have the ability to intervene quickly to restore blood flow to the affected area saving brain cells and creating better chances for a good recovery.

Many strokes are caused by blockage in an artery. These arteries, called the carotid arteries, supply your brain with blood. Approximately 25 percent of strokes are caused by carotid artery disease from atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the arteries that carry blood to the brain. Some strokes are even caused by bleeding from an artery that burst


According to the American Stroke Association, learn the many warning signs of a stroke.
Act FAST and CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY at any sign of a stroke.

Use FAST to remember the warning signs:




   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 their speech slurred or strange?
         
   T    TIME: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.
    



Factors that put people at greater risk for carotid artery disease include:

    Smoking;
    High blood pressure;
    Diabetes mellitus
    Family history of atherosclerosis (build-up of plaque in the arteries)

If you experience any of the symptoms referred to in this blog or you suspect someone else is experiencing these symptoms call 911 immediately! If you have any questions or comments about carotid artery disease or stroke please comment on our blog and we will be happy to answer you questions.