05/28/2026
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, a part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it requires, so brain cells die. A common way to spot symptoms of a stroke is to remember the words BE FAST:
B: Balance loss - sudden loss of balance or coordination, dizziness
E: Eye (vision) changes, sudden changes in vision like blurred vision or double vision
F: Facial drooping, like one side of the face drooping or being numb
A: Arm weakness or numbness, such as one arm drifting downward when raising both arms
S: Speech difficulties, such as slurred speech, being unable to speak, or being hard to understand
T: Time to call emergency services, like 911
Other stroke symptoms can include sudden numbness, confusion, trouble seeing, trouble walking, or a severe headache. If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 and get to the nearest emergency room.
To find out more about our emergency department services and how we handle emergencies like stroke, please visit us online: https://saintmarysreno.com/our-services/emergency-services/
