In an effort to spread awareness and save lives, the American Stroke Association launched a new digital billboard in Worcester, Mass., this month that prominently displays the warning signs of stroke.
The billboard is located on Route 146, reaching travelers leaving Worcester, heading toward Rt. 20 and I-90, as well as Shoppes at Blackstone Valley. The eye-catching artwork depicts the acronym F.A.S.T., which is an easy way to remember the symptoms of a stroke.
The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, says the following signs can be used to spot a stroke.
- Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?
- Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.”
- Time to Call 911 – If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and get to a hospital immediately. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared.
For more information about stroke warning signs and prevention, visit stroke.org.