Stroke is a medical emergency. By calling 999, you can help someone reach hospital quickly and receive the early treatment they need. Prompt action can prevent further damage to the brain and help someone make a full recovery. Delay can result in death or major long-term disabilities, such as paralysis, severe memory loss and communication problems. Ambulance crews use FAST and with hospital staff can act fast to identify and diagnose a stroke quickly.
Suspect a stroke?
Act FAST. Call 999.
How to detect a Stroke Check for each of the following:
F
Facial Weakness
Can the person Smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
A
Arm Weakness
Can the person raise both arms and hold them parallel?
S
Speech Problems
Can the person Speak clearly and understand what you say?
T
Test all three symptoms
Stroke is a medical emergency.
By calling 999 early treatment can be given
which can prevent further brain damage.
A stroke is a brain attack. It happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, either by blood clot or a burst blood vessel.
Each year over 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke.
What are the symptoms of stroke?
• Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body
• Sudden loss or blurring of vision, in one or both eyes
• Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding spoken language
• Sudden confusion
• Sudden or severe headache with no apparent cause
• Dizziness, unsteadiness or a sudden fall, especially with any of the other signs
