ALLENSPARK - On February 20, 2025, from 6 to 7 p.m., the Allenspark Fire Protection District hosted a class for its community on how to recognize the signs of a stroke and the steps to take. This was the second class in a series that taught people what to do after they call emergency services and while they wait for help to arrive.

Among the topics discussed were: what to look for when someone is not acting quite right; the different types of stroke; and other causes of altered mental status. During the free, hour-long class, participants also learned a mnemonic to help remember the signs of and test for a stroke.

The American Stroke Association describes a stroke as “a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States.”

During a stroke, a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain bursts, or is blocked by a clot, and part of the brain is left without blood and oxygen, causing cells in that part of the brain to die.

There are several types of stroke, and anyone at any age can suffer from a stroke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke every year. “About 185,000 strokes—nearly 1 in 4—are in people who have had a previous stroke.”

“Strokes can be caused either by a clot obstructing blood flow to the brain, called an ischemic stroke (87% of all strokes), or by a blood vessel rupturing and preventing blood flow to the brain, called a hemorrhagic stroke. A TIA [transient ischemic attack], or ‘mini-stroke,’ is caused by a temporary clot,” states the American Stroke Association.

It can be challenging to ascertain what type of stroke a person is having, but you can recognize the symptoms:

• numbness or tingling of the face, arm, or leg.

• changes in ability to do a common task such as holding a pen.

• slurring, speaking incomprehensibly, difficulty forming words or understanding what people are saying, or confusion.

• loss of vision in one or both eyes.

• balance/walking issues or dizziness.

• severe headache with no known cause; “worst headache of my life”; decrease in the level of consciousness; and nausea or projectile vomiting.

With strokes being the fifth leading cause of death, it’s important to know the signs. It can be the difference between life and death. Here’s what to look for:

• Balance and dizziness.

• Eye signs of vision changes.

• Face: Facial droop (smile: “Show me your teeth”).

• Arms: Drift or don’t move at all (closing their eyes and holding both arms out, with palms up for 10 seconds. If one arm drops or its palm flips, it could be a stroke).

• Speech: Slurred or inappropriate words, or muteness.

• Time: Emphasis on the last known normal, give them the gift of time. Call 911.

If you forget what to look for, just remember, BE FAST.

It’s important to note that other health concerns can mimic strokes. These include, but are not limited to:

• hypoglycemia - confusion, dizziness, feeling weak

• Bell’s Palsy - facial droop, can’t close one eye tightly (affects the upper and lower face)

• migraines - vision changes, difficulty with speech

• tumor

• brain infection

• head injury

• seizure

Nonetheless, it’s important to call 911 at the onset of any stroke symptom. It’s always better to call for help and get the “all clear” rather than risk waiting too long and losing a life.

As participants in the stroke class were reminded, “You have nothing to lose by calling 911.”

A class on wildfire basics will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

The Allenspark Fire Protection District Station 1 is located at 14861 Highway 7. You can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/allensparkfire or call them at 303-747-2586.

To learn more about strokes, including prevention, visit the following websites:

https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke.

https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/data-research/facts-stats/index.html.

https://www.uchealth.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/.