With October 29 being World Stroke Day, I’ve been thinking about this experience my family had a few years ago. It all started when we noticed my dad's speech was all slurred. It was super weird, and we knew something wasn't right.

But instead of freaking out, we sprang into action. We'd heard about the signs of a stroke before, and this seemed like a textbook case. So, we rushed him to the hospital.

Luckily, our gut instinct was spot-on. The doctors acted quickly, and Dad got the treatment he needed and he bounced back like a champ.

This ordeal really drove home the importance of knowing the signs of a stroke and acting fast. I mean, if we'd hesitated even for a moment, who knows how things would've turned out?

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So, consider this a little PSA—know the signs, trust your gut, and don’t take any chances with strokes. They’re no joke.

According to North Dakota Health and Human Services, cardiovascular disease (including heart disease and stroke) is the leading cause of death in North Dakota and the United States. But what exactly is a stroke?

A stroke, often called a “brain attack,” happens when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, depriving it of oxygen and nutrients. Without these, brain cells start to deteriorate quickly. Strokes can lead to serious consequences like paralysis, memory and cognitive issues, or even death.

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Know the Signs: Act FAST

The acronym FAST is a great tool for spotting a stroke:

  • Face Drooping: One side of the face may droop. Ask the person to smile—if their smile is uneven, it could be a stroke.
  • Arm Weakness: Sudden numbness or weakness in one arm. Have them raise both arms—if one drifts down, it might be a stroke.
  • Speech Difficulty: Slurred or hard-to-understand speech. Ask them to repeat a sentence; if they struggle, it’s time to act.
  • Time to Call Emergency Services: Don’t hesitate; every second counts. Call for help immediately if you see any of these signs.
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Other Signs and Symptoms

Though FAST covers the basics, strokes can present with other symptoms, like:

  • Sudden severe headache
  • Difficulty walking or loss of balance
  • Confusion or trouble understanding others
  • Vision problems, such as blurred or double vision

Take Action: Spread Awareness

This World Stroke Day, let’s spread awareness about strokes and encourage others to learn about the signs and symptoms. Education is key. The more people know about stroke symptoms, the more lives can be saved, and the effects of these events minimized.

LOOK: Cool Car Features We Kind of Miss

Kids these days don't know what they're missing out on! But hey, let's be real, some of those old car features were pretty awesome. Yeah, they might've been a bit risky and even tried to kill us, but they made our rides feel way cooler.

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

 

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