If stroke happens to you or a person you are with you’ll want to know how to recognise it and what to do.
Stroke symptoms are sudden1 and can include some, or all, of the symptoms listed below.
Common symptoms of stroke1 | - Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden confusion
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
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In some cases, the Face Arm Speech Test (FAST)2 may help you to establish if the person has experienced a stroke. Face Arm Speech Test (FAST)2
Follow these 3 simple steps to help you recognise whether someone might have had a stroke: Facial weakness – Can the person smile? Has their mouth or an eye drooped?
Arm weakness – Can the person use both arms?
Speech problems – Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
Test these three signs If the answer is ‘YES’ to any of these signs, call for emergency medical help URGENTLY! |
However, a stroke may have occurred even if the FAST is negative.
If you suspect a person has suffered a stroke, call for emergency medical help urgently!
Don’t delay because the sooner a stroke patient receives medical care, the better their chance of recovery. - A transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurs when the brain’s blood supply is stopped, eg by a blood clot, for a very short period of time.
- The symptoms of a TIA are similar to those of a stroke but only last a few minutes or hours, and are completely clear within 24 hours.
- Don’t ignore a TIA! It is a warning sign that the brain is not getting enough blood. This means there is a greater chance of having a stroke in the future.2,3
If you, or anyone you know, experiences a TIA get medical help quickly. Your doctor may give you a regular medication that will help to protect you from having a stroke.3 Most stroke patients enter hospital through the emergency department.
The medical team may assess where the stroke is, how serious it is and what caused it 4,5,6,7 The patient will then remain in hospital while they recover from the stroke, and until they are well enough to leave. References - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Questions and Answers About Stroke.
- The Stroke Association. Leaflet: What is a stroke?
- Patient UK. Transient Ischaemic attack (TIA).
- American Stroke Association. Diagnosis.
- The Internet Stroke Center. How a stroke is diagnosed.
- The Stroke Association. When a stroke happens.
- The European Stroke Initiative. Stroke as an emergency: Facts.
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