The American Heart Association and HealthSouth Chattanooga Rehabilitation Hospital have partnered to support the American Heart Association "Together to End Stroke" campaign in the Tennessee Valley.
"Throughout the year, the two organizations will launch new education programs for the local community that will help generate awareness and prevention for the number 4 killer and number one disabler of Americans," organizers said.
As part of this awareness campaign, the American Heart Association and HealthSouth Chattanooga Rehabilitation Hospital will teach the acronym F.A.S.T.
to help people recognize the warning signs of a stroke. F.A.S.T. stands for:
F - Face Drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb?
A - Arm Weakness: Is one arm weak or numb?
S - Speech Difficulty: Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand?
T - Time to call 9-1-1: If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.
“I’m proud that our organization is teaming up with the American Heart Association for ‘Together to End Stroke,’ said Scott Rowe, CEO of HealthSouth Chattanooga Rehabilitation Hospital. “Every 40 seconds, one of our siblings, grandparents, neighbors or coworkers has a stroke. While we are helping stroke survivors recover from devastating effects of stroke and regain their independence, we also realize that knowing the warning signs of stroke can dramatically affect the health outcomes of those experiencing one.”
The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association’s Together to End Stroke initiative aims to educate all Americans that stroke is largely preventable, treatable and beatable. Through Together to End Stroke, efforts are focused on increasing awareness and driving action among Americans across the entire stroke continuum of care; prevention, acute treatment, and post-stroke rehabilitation.
"HealthSouth Chattanooga Rehabilitation Hospital and the American Heart Association want everyone in the Tennessee Valley to know the major stroke risk factors and how to reduce their risk, and the F.A.S.T. warning signs and the importance of calling 911 at the first sign of a stroke to minimize the long-term of effects of a stroke and even prevent death. By doing this, HealthSouth Chattanooga Rehabilitation Hospital and the American Stroke Association can directly impact lives in our community," officials said.
“Together, we can keep our loved ones – and their hearts – healthy for years to come,” said Mr. Rowe.