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Spotting a Stroke
Y
ou’re alone with your grandfather, when he suddenly
looks and acts strangely. His speech slurs. He can
hardly move. The left or right side of his face droops.
Chances are, he’s having a stroke.
Dr. Jo Ann Soliven, Clinical Head of The Medical City
(TMC) Acute Stroke Unit and Neurological Intensive
Care Unit (ACSU/NICU); Course Director of TMC
- Emergency Neurological Life Support (ENLS) Live
Course conducted in 2017, and former head of TMC’s
Neurologic Emergency/Critical Care Services, gives the following signs to
watch out for.
“In the US, the acronym to remember is FAST, for Face, Arm, Speech and
Time. At The Medical City, Dr. Anthony Piano coined the acronym Kambio,
for Kamay, Mukha, Bigkas at Oras.”
One must check the person’s hands. Dr. Soliven says some stroke
patients are easily identified because a part of their body is paralyzed. You
need to do some tests for others.
Ask the person to stretch his arms and close his eyes. Count up to 10. If
a stroke weakened the muscles, one arm – or both – will slowly go down.
Both arms must be at the same level from the ground. Otherwise, a
stroke can be a strong possibility.
Ask the person to smile. Weak facial muscles will cause part of the
stroke victim’s face to fall. Others will show no such sign.
Next, ask the person to speak. Slurred speech means danger.
At The Medical City, Dr. Anthony Piano coined the acronym Kambio,
for Kamay, Mukha, Bigkas at Oras
Disclaimer: Fit On Board gives only information that will help you understand ailments and its symptoms. Suggest
preventive measures but not as cures. It is still best suited for you to seek professional advice and consult your doctors…
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