Stroke Assessment

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the No. 1 cause of disability among Americans, but the good news is that up to 80 percent of all strokes are preventable.

The best way to avoid serious and permanent injury from stroke is to act quickly, but because the severity of stroke can vary greatly from person to person, it's important to be aware of the general symptoms.

Answer these simple questions to find out if you or someone you love has had a stroke — your answers could save a life.

  • Does one side of the face droop? Ask the person to smile.
  • Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  • Is speech slurred? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Is the sentence repeated correctly?

If the person exhibits any of these symptoms, call 911 or get to a hospital immediately.

Find a San Diego Neurologist
To find a Sharp-affiliated doctor, search for a San Diego neurologist or call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277), Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm.

For More Stroke and Neurology Information
To find general information about neurology, visit Neurology and Stroke in Adult Health or read the Neurology News archive.