Signs Of A Stroke

I found out last week that someone dear to me and my family had a sudden stroke. But was it really “sudden”?

She’s in her early 40’s and never sits still. She is fit and healthy and works 16 hour days working multiple jobs, one of which is a nurses assistant at a local hospital.

After reporting for work at 7am she started doing rounds at the hospital with her fellow co-workers.

By 7:20am she collapsed.

Surrounded by doctors and nurses she was quickly assessed in the emergency department at her workplace and then transferred to the Foothills Hospital’s stroke unit for immediate counter measures.

By the time I found out that she even had a stroke it was days later and I rushed to her as soon as I was able. Like the rest of her many family members and friends, the big question on my mind was, “were there signs?”

Yes. There were.

 

 

She revealed that she had experienced a constant headache (unusual for her) for 3 days before the stroke hit. She said nothing to anyone for fear of being a burden. She took a pain killer and tried to sleep it off.

Wha?!?

My friend hit the lottery of strokes when she passed out in the presence of medical doctors and nurses and because of their quick action she is expected to make a full recovery. In fact, I saw her just today and she was able to walk from her wheel chair to her bed, unassisted. But not all stroke victims are so lucky. Many are at home alone or at work or worse, driving. If you know the early signs of stroke you can get early treatment to help prevent permanent brain damage or death.

I even made my very first infographic for you to learn the signs of a stroke.

Suddenly unable to speak clearly? Call 911.

Sudden headache with no explanation? Call 911.

Worse headache of your life? Call 911.

Numbness in face or extremities especially on 1 side? Call 911.

Sudden blurry vision or double vision? Call 911.

Unexplained dizziness? Call 911.

Not sure and don’t want to “bug” anyone? Dammit, CALL 911.

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