F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the sudden signs of a stroke.

F = Face Drooping

Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.

A = Arm Weakness

Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S = Speech Difficulty

Is the speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "the sky is blue." Is the sentence repeated correctly?

T = Time to Call 9-1-1

If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.

Other signs include abrupt onset of:

• Difficulty with speech
• One side of the face drooping or feeling numb
• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
• Unexplained clumsiness or falling
• Sudden severe headache
• Blurred or double vision

If you or someone you know is experiencing these signs, call 911 or have someone get you to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Timing is critical when treating patients with ischemic stroke, which happens when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to an area of the brain. Without prompt treatment, a stroke can result in long-term disability or even death. U-M Health has consistently exceeded the American Heart Association goals and national and state benchmarks for expedited treatment, which may include:

• TNK Clot-Busting Medication: Tenecteplase (TNK) is a clot-busting medication that can be administered within 4.5 hours of the first stroke symptoms. This brain-saving treatment, which is administered via an IV in the arm, can reduce long-term disability after stroke.
• Endovascular Thrombectomy: Endovascular thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a stent retriever to trap and remove the blood clot that is causing the stroke. Doctors thread a catheter through an artery in the groin or arm up to the blocked artery in the brain. The stent retriever is then inserted through the catheter to open and "grab" the clot, allowing doctors to remove the stent with the trapped clot. The procedure typically takes 60 to 90 minutes. In some cases, a thrombectomy can benefit a patient under certain conditions up to 24 hours after the onset of symptoms, but earlier treatment (within six hours of the onset of symptoms) is preferred.

A hemorrhagic stroke happens when a weak blood vessel bursts and bleeds into the brain. A hemorrhagic stroke is less common than an ischemic stroke, making up about 15 percent of stroke cases. Treatment, which is based on the patient’s condition and cause of the brain hemorrhage, may include:

• Clipping (aneurysm): An aneurysm is a ballooning of the artery from a weak artery wall. One surgical treatment of brain aneurysms involves placing a surgical clip at the bottom of the aneurysm to remove the blood flow and reduce the risk of rupture.
• Coiling (aneurysm):  Another treatment of brain aneurysm may include filling it with detachable coils to reduce the risk of rupture.
• Craniectomy: In this procedure a surgeon removes a section of the skull to reduce pressure on the brain caused by swelling.

Some procedures that have been successful in preventing a stroke or recurrent stroke include:

• Carotid Endarterectomy:  A surgery to remove fatty deposits from the carotid artery to prevent a stroke.
• Carotid Stent Placement: A procedure in which a meshwork tube is inserted to widen a narrow artery. The procedure is usually done to prevent stroke or recurrent stroke.
• Patent Foramen Ovale Closure: A cardiac procedure performed to prevent recurrent stroke when the patent foramen ovale is thought to have caused a first stroke.
• Left Atrial Appendage Closure: A cardiac procedure performed in patients with atrial fibrillation who are not safe for oral anticoagulation.

Visit the Stroke Outcomes page for more information about carotid procedure outcomes.