How to Identify a Stroke: Signs & Symptoms
If you suspect that you or someone else is having a stroke, phone the emergency services immediately and request an ambulance. During a stroke, every minute is vital to reduce the brain damage that a stroke can cause. Knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke can save someone’s life.
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Signs of a stroke - FAST
The acronym FAST is an easy way to remember the symptoms.
- Face – the face may have sagged on 1 side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have drooped.
- Arms – the person may be unable to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in one arm.
- Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you're saying to them.
- Time – it's time to dial the emergency services immediately if you notice any of these signs or symptoms.
Other symptoms of a stroke
FAST (face, arms, speech, time) can identify most strokes, however, sometimes a stroke can present with different symptoms, such as:
- Complete paralysis of 1 side of the body
- Sudden loss or blurring of vision
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Difficulty understanding what other people are saying
- Problems with balance and coordination
- Difficulty swallowing (known medically as dysphagia)
- A sudden and very severe headache resulting in a blinding pain unlike anything experienced before
- Loss of consciousness
TIA (mini stroke)
Transient ischemic attack, also known as TIA or mini-stroke, is when a part of your brain has a reduced blood supply, like a stroke, but the symptoms only last for a short period and have fully resolved by 24 hours. TIA's still need urgent medical attention, as they present exactly like a stroke and so must be treated with the same urgency. If the symptoms resolve, this is still a serious problem as it can be a sign of an underlying condition and may later lead to a full stroke. Unfortunately, some people ignore TIAs as their symptoms resolve; however, medical attention must be sought immediately by calling the emergency services.
If you think you have had a TIA before, but the symptoms have since passed, and you did not seek medical advice at the time, make an urgent appointment with a doctor to discuss this further.
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