How to Recognize a TIA

Stroke is one of the leading killers in the world. A mini-stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack) does not cause the brain damage of a full-blown stroke, but it is still dire enough that you have to go to the hospital as soon as you can. A person suffering a TIA is often confused or stubbornly insists that everything is OK. Here's how to quickly determine if you need to make the emergency call. You need to remember FAST.

Instructions

"Houston, I Think We Have A Problem"

• 1

  Remember FAST -- Face, Arms, Speech, Time.

• 2

  Look directly at the person's face. Is the face or eyelid on one side drooping? Is the person having a sudden migraine on one side of the head? Is the person complaining that that part of the face is numb? This is the "Face" part of FAST.

• 3

  Ask the person to stick his arms straight out, as if he were a zombie. One arm may shake uncontrollably or won't be able to be raised as high as the other. This is the "Arms" part of FAST.

• 4

  Listen to the person's speech. If it is suddenly slurred, or she takes incredibly long pauses between words or talks nonsense, this is a bad sign. This is the "Speech" part of FAST.

• 5

  Call the emergency phone number of your country (911 in the United States) if the victim fails any of the Face, Arms or Speech tests. Sudden numbness on one side of the body is also a sign that he needs to go to the hospital.

• 6

  If you can, gather a list of medications and health-insurance information for the sufferer while you wait for the ambulance to arrive.