Pam
10. F.A.S.T
This is a very handy acronym to help identify if there is a blood clot in the brain. It stands for Facial Drooping, Arm Weakness and can be helpful when assessing if someone is having or has had a stroke. A blood clot in the brain can cause ischemic strokes, which are strokes caused by a blocked artery disrupting blood flow to the brain. If the blood flow disruption is temporary, the stroke might be brief and not cause too much damage. If the disruption is longer, the stroke may have more serious consequences. Regardless, if you’re assessing someone and their face is droopy, or they can’t hold their arms up, they may have a clot in the brain and need immediate medical assistance. Lastly, always trust your gut. If you think something is off with any of the symptoms we’ve mentioned, talk to a doctor.
