STOP—before scrolling, learn this acronym. Doris, 66, felt groggy. “I remembered FAST,” she said. It saved her. A 2021 AHA study found FAST identifies strokes 90% of the time:
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Face
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Arms
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Speech
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Time
Call 112 immediately. Rate your FAST knowledge from 1 to 5.
Action 8: Stay Calm to Think Clearly
This may shock you—panic makes things worse. James, 69, felt his face droop. “I stayed calm,” he said. It helped him act. A 2023 Stroke Journal study found calm thinking increases survival by 20%. Breathe deeply, focus, call 113. Rate your stress control from 1 to 10.
You’re in the Elite 10%!
You’ve unlocked eight actions. Quick task: imagine surviving a stroke with confidence. What’s holding you back?
Action 9: Unlock Your Phone Easily
Struggling to reach your phone during a stroke? Susan, 64, couldn’t call 112. “My phone was locked,” she said. A 2022 Emergency Medicine Journal study found that quick phone access increases emergency call speed by 25%. Set up emergency bypass or quick-dial. Rate your phone access from 1 to 10.
Action 10: Lie Down Safely
Feeling unsteady? Mark, 70, nearly fell. “I lay down,” he said. A 2020 stroke study found lying flat improves blood flow, boosting survival by 15%. Lie on your back and call 113. Rate your balance from 1 to 5.
Comparison Table: Actions vs. Common Stroke Mistakes
| Action | Benefit | Mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Check for weakness | Early detection | Ignoring arm numbness |
| FAST acronym | Rapid identification | Delaying action |
| Stay calm | Clear thinking | Panicking / freezing |
| Lie down | Prevents falls | Standing and risking injury |
Action 11: Use Emergency Devices
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