Rapid recognition and management of acute cerebrovascular disease

  Cerebrovascular disease is a common and frequent disease, which has a very high mortality and disability rate and seriously threatens people’s health. Nowadays, with the accelerated aging of the population, the incidence of cerebrovascular disease is increasing and has become the first cause of death in cities. Therefore, the task of strengthening the prevention, treatment and education of cerebrovascular disease is becoming more and more important.  Because the symptoms of cerebrovascular disease are different from those of cardiovascular disease, patients do not have obvious pain, chest tightness and other discomforts, and most patients have symptoms such as crooked mouth, slurred speech and weakness of limbs, and some patients do not seek medical consultation in time because of mobility and unfavorable speech. More patients report that they want to wait and see if they can recover, and as a result, they miss the best treatment time for acute cerebrovascular disease. This is why International Stroke Day has adopted the slogan “FAST” for rapid recognition and management of cerebrovascular disease. Acute cerebrovascular disease has the following common features: sudden weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially in one limb or face; sudden numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially in one limb or face; sudden unconsciousness, slurred speech or incoherent speech; sudden numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially in one limb or face. Sudden loss of vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes; sudden dizziness and unsteadiness in walking; sudden, severe headache of unknown origin.  When you suspect acute cerebrovascular disease in yourself or someone around you, you need to do the following: i.e., FAST F, which refers to FACE (face). Make the patient smile. The corners of the mouth on both sides are essentially symmetrical when smiling under normal circumstances. If there is asymmetry on both sides of the face, especially the corners of the mouth, it is highly suggestive of acute cerebrovascular disease.  A, refers to ARM (arm). Have the patient lift both arms. Normally both upper arms can be lifted together for more than 10 seconds. If one limb drops, sways, and internally rotates within 10 seconds, this is also highly suggestive of hemiparesis on that side.  S, refers to SPEACH (speech). If the patient repeats a simple sentence, if there is slurred speech, difficulty in repetition, or incorrect wording, it is also suggestive of acute cerebrovascular disease.  T, refers to TIME (time). If one or more of the above tests are problematic, the patient may have acute cerebrovascular disease, and immediate action is required. Keep the patient at rest while contacting an emergency vehicle or other vehicle to get the patient to a hospital capable of treating cerebrovascular disease in a timely manner.