Recognizing the Signs of Stroke: Why Every Second Matters

When it comes to stroke, every minute matters, making it critical to recognize the warning signs and seek medical attention without delay.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or interrupted, depriving brain cells of oxygen. Because brain tissue begins to die within minutes, recognizing the warning signs and seeking emergency medical care immediately is critical.

For one patient, West Lafayette resident Carl Hose, those warning signs appeared suddenly while he was out to dinner with his partner. He shared his story with WFLI News 18.

"The next thing I know, I feel like I'm laying on the table and she's trying to hold me up," Carl recalled.

He began slurring his speech and experienced weakness on one side of his body. While many people associate strokes with severe pain, Carl said that wasn't his experience.

"That's what's scary because with a stroke you think it's going to hurt, but there's no pain," he said.

Fortunately, those around him recognized that something was wrong and called for help right away.

Know the warning signs
Stroke symptoms often come on suddenly and may include:
Facial drooping or numbness
Weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
Sudden confusion
Loss of balance or coordination
Sudden blurred vision or vision loss
Severe headache with no known cause

A simple way to remember the most common warning signs is the acronym B.E. F.A.S.T.:

B - Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination
E - Eyes: Sudden trouble seeing
F - Face: Facial drooping or uneven smile
A - Arms: Arm weakness or numbness
S - Speech: Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
T - Time: Call 911 immediately

Why seeking care quickly matters
After being transported to Ascension St. Vincent, Carl was diagnosed with a stroke caused by a blockage in a major artery supplying blood to his brain. He received emergency treatment to restore blood flow and minimize damage.

According to Dr. Daniel Sahlein, interventional neuroradiologist at Goodman Campbell, prompt treatment played a major role in Carl's recovery.

Without rapid intervention, patients may face permanent complications affecting movement, speech, cognition, and independence. The sooner blood flow can be restored, the greater the chance of preserving brain function and improving outcomes.

This is why experts emphasize calling 911 immediately rather than waiting to see if symptoms improve.

Reducing stroke risk
While some risk factors cannot be changed, many strokes can be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices and management of underlying conditions.

Common risk factors include:

• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Heart disease

For Carl, his stroke served as a wake-up call.

"I was a hardcore smoker," he said. "The day I had a stroke was the last day I had a cigarette."

Today, he is focused on maintaining healthier habits and is grateful for the quick actions that helped save his life.

His experience serves as an important reminder: if you notice the signs of stroke in yourself or someone else, don't wait. Call 911 immediately. Fast action can help protect the brain, improve recovery, and save lives.