Stroke. It occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is blocked, or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. And it’s the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States.

According to Stroke Center. nearly 800,000 people suffer a stroke per year — nearly three-quarters of which occur in people over the age of 65.

As sudden, common, and frightening as strokes can be, you can empower yourself with proactive measures that include knowing the symptoms, understanding how to react, and getting the support you – as a stroke survivor or caretaker – need after a stroke occurs.

Step 1. Learn the Symptoms

Stroke symptoms come on very suddenly. Here are some of the most common ones, according to the CDC:

Weakness or numbness on one side of the body, including the face, arm, or leg
Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
Confusion
Vision problems
Dizziness
Loss of balance
Coordination trouble
Severe headache

Step 2. Act FAST

The faster you can intervene when someone is experiencing stroke symptoms, the better. Think “FAST” and remember the following…

FAST stands for:

FACE: Look for drooping one on side of the face
ARM: Does one drift downward?
SPEECH: Is speech slurred or distorted?
TIME: Call 911 right away if you notice these symptoms

Step 3. Prepare for Recovery

After stroke survival, it’s time to make an action plan for getting your loved ones back on their feet. To get started, visit Amramp’s helpful guide for preparing the home for a stroke survivor here. Other helpful resources are also available online, including the Careliving Guide from the experts at stroke.org.

Don’t let a stroke keep your loved ones from feeling safe and comfortable in their own home. Let Amramp’s total mobility solutions offer the freedom and peace of mind they deserve.

Wheelchair manufacturer and installer Amramp offers innovative accessibility products, including the ADA–compliant, patented modular ramp system. On-site estimates are free and installation is generally within days, often within 24 hours.