Could you spot the signs of stroke?
Published: 17/07/2019
Remember to think FAST…
Do you think you could spot the signs of stroke or mini-stroke? And would you know what action to take to ensure that that person arrives at a specialist stroke unit as quickly as possible?
When it comes to stroke, time lost is brain lost. So recognising the symptoms of stroke and calling 999 for an ambulance as quickly as possible is absolutely vital. Acting FAST can help reduce the devastating impact a stroke can have.
Facial weakness: Can the person smile? Has their face fallen on one side?
Arm weakness: Can the person raise both arms and keep them there?
Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say? Is their speech slurred?
Time to call 999: If you see any one of these three signs, it’s TIME to call 999. Stroke is always a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
So what is a stroke?
A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain. There are around 152,000 strokes in the UK every year and it is the leading cause of complex disability.
Incredibly there are around 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke.
The Stroke Helpline (0303 303 3100) and www.stroke.org.uk provides information and support on stroke.
