A stroke happens when blood stops reaching part of the brain. Brain cells begin to die within minutes, so getting help fast can save a life and prevent lasting disability. In Bamenda and across Cameroon, many families do not know the signs, learning them is one of the most useful things you can do.
Remember the word BE-FAST:
B. Balance: sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance.
E. Eyes: sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, or double vision.
F. Face: one side of the face droops. Ask the person to smile and check if it is uneven.
A. Arms: one arm is weak or numb. Ask them to raise both arms and see if one drifts down.
S. Speech: speech is slurred or hard to understand. Ask them to repeat a simple sentence.
T. Time: if you see even one of these, act now. Go to the nearest hospital and write down the exact time the signs started, the hospital needs it to choose treatment.
High blood pressure is the biggest cause of stroke, and it often has no symptoms. Check your blood pressure, take your medicine every day if you are prescribed it, cut down on salt, and avoid tobacco.