Stroke Warning Signs: Act FAST to Save a Life

Stroke: A Race Against Time

Every four minutes, a Filipino dies from stroke. It's the third leading cause of death in the Philippines and the leading cause of long-term disability among survivors. Yet despite its devastating impact, many Filipinos remain unaware of stroke warning signs—a knowledge gap that costs lives and leads to preventable disability.

A stroke is essentially a "brain attack"—a sudden interruption of blood flow to part of the brain that causes brain cells to die within minutes. But here's the critical truth: stroke is treatable, and outcomes are dramatically better when treatment begins quickly. The key is recognizing symptoms and acting immediately.

"Time is brain. Every minute that passes during a stroke, approximately 1.9 million brain cells die. The difference between getting treatment in 60 minutes versus 3 hours can mean the difference between walking out of the hospital or being wheelchair-bound for life." — Philippine Neurological Association

Understanding Stroke: What Happens in the Brain

Your brain requires a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients delivered through blood. When this supply is interrupted, brain cells begin dying rapidly—and unlike skin or bone cells, brain cells cannot regenerate.

Types of Stroke

FAST: The Life-Saving Acronym Everyone Must Know

The FAST method is the most reliable way for anyone—regardless of medical training—to quickly identify stroke symptoms:

Additional Warning Signs

Beyond FAST, watch for these sudden symptoms:

• Sudden confusion: Difficulty understanding speech or responding appropriately
• Sudden vision problems: Trouble seeing in one or both eyes, double vision, or sudden blindness
• Sudden walking difficulty: Dizziness, loss of balance, lack of coordination
• Sudden severe headache: Often described as "the worst headache of my life," especially with hemorrhagic stroke
• Sudden numbness: Especially on one side of the body (face, arm, leg)

Why Every Minute Matters: The Golden Hour

The most effective stroke treatments are time-sensitive. Here's what happens as time passes:

• Within 3-4.5 hours: Clot-busting medication (tPA/alteplase) can dissolve the clot causing ischemic stroke, potentially reversing symptoms completely
• Within 6-24 hours: Mechanical thrombectomy (physically removing the clot) may be an option for some patients
• Every minute: Approximately 1.9 million brain cells die
• Every hour: The brain ages approximately 3.6 years in terms of lost function

The difference in outcomes between treatment at 60 minutes versus 3 hours can be life-changing. This is why "time is brain" isn't just a slogan—it's a medical reality.

Risk Factors for Stroke

Understanding your risk factors is the first step in prevention. The more risk factors you have, the greater your stroke risk.

Controllable Risk Factors

• High blood pressure: The single biggest risk factor, responsible for nearly half of all strokes. Every 20/10 mmHg increase in blood pressure doubles stroke risk.
• Diabetes: Damages blood vessels throughout the body, including those supplying the brain
• Heart disease: Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) increases stroke risk 5-fold as blood clots can form in the heart and travel to the brain
• High cholesterol: Contributes to plaque buildup in arteries
• Smoking: Doubles stroke risk by damaging blood vessels and promoting clots
• Obesity: Associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, and other risk factors
• Physical inactivity: Sedentary lifestyle increases multiple risk factors
• Excessive alcohol: Heavy drinking raises blood pressure and can trigger atrial fibrillation
• Poor diet: High sodium, saturated fat, and low fruit/vegetable intake

Non-Controllable Risk Factors

• Age: Risk doubles each decade after age 55
• Gender: Men have higher risk overall, but women have more fatal strokes
• Family history: Having a parent or sibling who had a stroke increases your risk
• Prior stroke or TIA: Having had a stroke greatly increases risk of another
• Race/ethnicity: Some populations, including Filipinos, have higher stroke rates

Stroke Prevention: Steps You Can Take Today

Up to 80% of strokes are preventable. Here's your action plan:

Know Your Numbers

Lifestyle Modifications

• Control blood pressure: Monitor at home, take medications as prescribed, reduce sodium intake
• Quit smoking: Risk begins dropping immediately after quitting
• Exercise regularly: At least 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly
• Eat heart-healthy: DASH diet or Mediterranean-style eating
• Limit alcohol: No more than 1 drink daily for women, 2 for men
• Maintain healthy weight: Even modest weight loss helps
• Manage stress: Chronic stress raises blood pressure

Medical Management

• Take prescribed medications: Blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood thinners as directed
• Control diabetes: Monitor blood sugar and follow treatment plan
• Manage atrial fibrillation: Anticoagulation therapy significantly reduces stroke risk
• Regular checkups: Monitor risk factors and adjust treatment

Life After Stroke: Recovery and Rehabilitation

Stroke survivors face varying degrees of disability depending on which part of the brain was affected and how quickly treatment was received. Common effects include:

• Paralysis or weakness, usually on one side of the body
• Speech and language problems
• Vision problems
• Memory and thinking difficulties
• Emotional changes
• Difficulty swallowing

Rehabilitation begins in the hospital and may continue for months or years. It typically involves:

• Physical therapy: Regaining movement, strength, and coordination
• Occupational therapy: Relearning daily activities
• Speech therapy: Improving communication and swallowing
• Psychological support: Addressing depression and emotional changes

"The brain has remarkable ability to adapt and recover, especially with early, intensive rehabilitation. I've seen patients who were told they'd never walk again take their first steps months later. Never underestimate the power of persistence and proper therapy." — Dr. Elena Torres, Neurologist

What to Do If You Witness a Stroke

1. Call emergency services immediately—don't wait to see if symptoms improve
2. Note the time symptoms first appeared (critical for treatment decisions)
3. Keep the person calm and comfortable—have them lie down with head slightly elevated
4. Don't give food, water, or medications—they may have difficulty swallowing
5. Perform CPR if the person becomes unconscious and stops breathing
6. Inform paramedics of symptom timing and any known medical conditions or medications

Share This Knowledge—Save a Life

Every Filipino should know the FAST method. Share this information with your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Post the FAST acronym where everyone can see it. When stroke strikes, the knowledge you share today could save someone's life tomorrow.

Don't wait for a stroke to learn about stroke. Act now—because when stroke happens, every second counts.