Act FAST To Identify A Stroke

Strokes are one of the most deadly and often misdiagnosed conditions. Without the proper medical treatment, an individual suffering from a stroke could suffer from permanent brain damage or even death. Because more than 800,000 strokes occur in the United States each year, it’s important to know what a stroke is and how you can spot it.

What Happens During A Stroke?

A stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is cut off. Without a blood supply, brain cells can’t get the oxygen they need to survive and the stroke victim can suffer permanent physical damage. When brain cells die, the brain slowly loses function, which can lead to death.

Remember FAST To Identify A Stroke

Suffering a stroke is a terrifying experience, and it might be difficult for people who aren’t medical professionals to spot the signs. However, using the FAST acronym can help you identify a stroke.

Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?

Time: If you observe any of these signs, seek medical attention immediately.

If there is any doubt whether you or someone you love is suffering a stroke, immediately seek medical attention. The likelihood of fully recovering from a stroke greatly decreases with time. Doctors can diagnose a stroke with the help of different kinds of imaging like CT scans or MRIs.

Stroke Misdiagnosis

Patients can experience very different symptoms when suffering a stroke. Symptoms can be mild or vague, and in some cases this causes the stroke to be overlooked. Patients who received a stroke misdiagnosis had their symptoms attributed to migraine headaches, the aging process, food poisoning, or even a dizzy spell. Misdiagnosis can have devastating consequences for stroke patients, including paralysis, brain damage, physical or mental disability, or even death.

Philadelphia Stroke Misdiagnosis Attorneys

We rely on doctors to help us understand the conditions we are suffering from. When doctors misdiagnose or fail to diagnose a condition, they put patients’ lives at risk. If you or someone you know suffered because of a failure to identify a stroke during the initial stages of medical treatment, there is limited time to file a lawsuit. Contact a Philadelphia medical malpractice attorney at Lopez McHugh LLP to discuss your claims.