BE FAST: What to Know about Stroke Signs, Treatments 

Time is critical when a stroke occurs. Recognizing the warning signs and seeking prompt emergency medical attention immediately can impact the outcome for stroke patients. 

At a recent WVU Medicine Mini Med School session, area providers and experts highlighted the importance of stroke prevention, warning signs, and how to recognize a stroke – including the BE FAST acronym.

• B - Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination.
• E - Eyes: Sudden vision changes or trouble seeing.
• F - Face: One side of the face droops or is numb.
• A - Arms: One arm drifts downward or feels weak.
• S - Speech: Slurred speech or difficulty talking.
• T - Time: Time to call 911 immediately if any of these symptoms appear.

When someone has a stroke, every minute counts including when it comes to treatments. At the region’s WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (RNI), specialists provide 24/7 neurointerventional coverage for stroke patients at WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center.  

Micheal Czapelicki, MD, and Phong Vu, MD, are among these specialists. Using advanced imaging and minimally invasive, catheter-based techniques, Drs. Czaplicki and Vu navigate the blood vessels of the brain, head, and neck to diagnose and treat complex neurological vascular conditions. For example, in cases of acute ischemic stroke, these techniques can locate and remove clots blocking blood flow to the brain. 

Stroke prevention and risk awareness are also key. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can help lower a person’s risk of having a stroke. At Mini Med School, WVU Medicine Family Physician Rosemarie Lorenzetti, MD, led a cooking demonstration focused on the MIND diet—a brain-boosting eating plan that combines the Mediterranean and DASH diets to reduce oxidative stress, protect brain health, and lower the risk of dementia. Staple foods include dark berries, leafy greens, legumes, nuts and seeds, whole grains, salmon, and tuna. 

Some medical conditions increase stroke risk. WVU RNI providers treat a range of cerebrovascular conditions, including brain aneurysms, vascular malformations, carotid artery disease, and narrowing or blockages of arteries that supply blood to the brain. These advanced, minimally invasive approaches allow many conditions to be treated from within the blood vessels and can play an important role in both preventing and treating stroke. 

Learn more about stroke care in our community here: Stroke Center | WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute and keep an eye out for information about our next Mini Med School session later this fall.