Stroke Awareness, Recognise Symptoms, Act FAST to Save a Life!
Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide, but quick action can save lives. Learn to spot the symptoms and how you can help prevent stroke.
For those who have a stroke, about a third will have minimal effects and will be able to recover over time, another third will be severely affected and will need care or residential services and a third will not survive the event.
Watch this short video on the F.A.S.T. test
What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is affected. This causes brain cells to die and not be replaced. There are different types of stroke, each requiring immediate treatment in hospital to minimise the damage.
Types of stroke:
- The blockage of an artery in the brain, which is the most common type (called Ischemic Stroke).
- When a blood vessel in the brain bursts, causing bleeding (called a haemorrhagic stroke).
- A mini stroke (called a Transient Ischemic Attack -TIA). TIA is a temporary blockage, but it serves as an important warning sign of a full stroke to come.
- Symptoms must not be ignored as emergency treatment can prevent a stroke.
- Urgent treatment within 24 hours from the hospital emergency department must be sought, even if the symptoms have stopped.
1 in 5 people who have a mini stroke will have a full blown stroke within 3 months, with half of these happening within 2-3 days after the mini stroke. See Stroke Association pages on TIA for more information.
Signs and symptoms
Stroke can happen to anyone, of any age, at any time. It’s vital to know how to spot the signs of a stroke in yourself or someone else.
What to do if someone is having a stroke
Stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention as every minute is vital. If you experience or spot any one of the symptoms below, don’t wait Call 999 straight away
How to recognise a stroke – the FAST test (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) is a test to quickly identify the three most common signs of stroke.
- Face weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
- Arm weakness: Can the person raise both arms fully 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 signs.
Remember: Face or Arm or Speech, at the first sign, it’s Time to call 999.
Acting FAST will give the person having a stroke the best chance of survival and recovery. Even if it doesn’t seem like much, any one of these signs of stroke is an emergency, so always call 999 immediately.
Ambulance paramedics are trained in stroke and will ensure the person receives emergency medical care and specialist treatment.
Other symptoms of a stroke
The FAST test helps spot the three most common symptoms of stroke. But there are other signs that you should always take seriously. These include:
- Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, including legs, hands or feet.
- Difficulty finding words or speaking in clear sentences.
- Sudden blurred vision or loss of sight in one or both eyes.
- Sudden memory loss or confusion.
- Sudden dizziness, unsteadiness or a sudden fall.
- A sudden, severe headache.
If you spot any one of these signs of a stroke, don’t wait. Call 999 straight away.
Emergency Steps
- Call 999 immediately.
- Do not give the person food or water.
- Stay with the person and keep them calm.
- Note the time symptoms started – this helps the doctors decide if a clot busting treatment can be given.
Clot-busting treatment
On arriving at the hospital, the doctor will assess whether a clot busting treatment (thrombolysis) can be given. This treatment breaks down the clot and removes the blockage quickly. Having a clot busting drug can greatly improve how well you recover and significantly improves the chances of avoiding long term care and disability. However, the treatment can only be given during the first four and a half hours after the stroke started. Sometimes it may be given later than this, but the longer after a stroke, the less effective it will be. This is why it is important to note the time the symptoms first started to inform the doctor.
How long do symptoms last?
Symptoms vary between different people but often come on suddenly. The longer the wait for treatment the more damage is done as the stroke will spread.
Time delayed is brain lost
If the symptoms only last a short amount of time, it could be a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke. It is still vital to call 999 and get urgent medical attention.
How Can You a Prevent Stroke?
Up to 90% of strokes are preventable through healthy lifestyle choices and managing medical conditions.
- Manage blood pressure, high blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke.
- Check your pulse for an irregular rhythm. An irregular rhythm could indicate a condition called Atrial Fibrillation or AF. AF is a major risk factor for a heavy stroke and can easily be treated to prevent a stroke from happening. See video and information for how to check your pulse.
- Maintain a healthy diet, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Avoid processed foods.
- Exercise regularly, aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week.
- Stop smoking, smoking doubles your stroke risk.
- Limit alcohol consumption, excessive drinking will increase blood pressure and the risk of developing AF.
Major risk factors
If you have any of these conditions it is important to have your check-ups with your GP regularly when invited to make sure you reduce your risk of stroke.
- High blood pressure
- Atrial fibrillation, (irregular pulse)
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease or heart attack
- Family history of stroke
Where can I get my blood pressure checked?
- Local pharmacies will check your blood pressure and pulse free of charge. People aged over 40 without high blood pressure should have their blood pressure checked at least every 5 years, more often if high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes run in the family. Your practice nurse will also check your blood pressure and pulse for you.
- Your GP Practice Nurse can complete a full check, called an NHS Health Check. You must be aged 40-74 and do not already have one of the stroke risk factor conditions mentioned above. The check will also include a cholesterol test.
- If you already have one of the conditions mentioned as risk factors for stroke, your GP will contact you annually for a full check-up. Make sure you attend these check-ups when offered to you.
For more information about stroke