The NHS has urged people who are struggling to smile or talk to call 999
A stroke happens when blood supply to the brain is cut off, creating a medical emergency that could prove fatal without swift treatment. Yet some of the earliest warning signs can be easily overlooked.
To help avoid any preventable tragedies, the NHS has issued a stark reminder about three crucial symptoms that must never be ignored. The health service is urging people to seek immediate medical assistance if they notice these warning signs.
The NHS posted on X: “The first sign of a stroke might not seem like much, like not being able to raise your arm. Or struggling to smile. Or slurring when you speak. Any sign of a stroke is always an emergency. Face or arm or speech, at the first sign, it’s time to call 999.”
These warning signs can be quickly remembered using the acronym FAST:
- F – face weakness, this result in one side of your face drooping and making it hard to smile
- A – arms weakness usually in one arm that makes making it incredibly difficult to fully lift both arms above your head and keep it there
- S – speech problems, including sounding slurred or confused
- T – time to call 999 if you spot any of these signs
If you are experiencing these signs, the NHS cautions against driving yourself to A&E. It is crucial to ring 999 first, who will then advise you on the safest next steps to take. If you’re accompanied to A&E, your companion may be asked to provide information on your behalf if you are unable to communicate.
Even if these symptoms are fleeting and stop quickly, it does not mean you’re out of danger – immediate medical attention is still crucial. Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors might conduct blood tests, CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasounds, and electrocardiogram scans to determine if you have suffered a stroke and identify its type.
There are three primary types of stroke:
- Ischaemic stroke when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain
- Haemorrhagic stroke when a blood vessel bursts
- Transietn ischaemic attack, also known as a mini stroke, when the symptoms last less than 24 hours
The NHS cautions: “A TIA should be treated as urgent. If you do not get immediate medical attention, you could be at risk of having a full stroke.”
Other symptoms of a stroke can include:
- Weakness or numbness down 1 side of your body
- Blurred vision or loss of sight in 1 or both eyes
- Finding it difficult to speak or think of words
- Confusion and memory loss
- Feeling dizzy or falling over
- Severe headache
- Nausea or vomiting
When dealing with a stroke, speed is paramount as the longer the brain is deprived of blood supply, the worse the outcome can be. For some individuals, recovery from a stroke may take just a few days, while others may suffer debilitating side effects for the rest of their lives.
Your treatment will hinge on the type of stroke you’ve experienced. In the initial 24 hours post-stroke, you might receive medication or undergo surgery to eliminate blood clots, or procedures to prevent pressure from escalating within your skull.
Long-term treatments could include anticoagulants to prevent future clotting, medication to reduce your blood pressure, or statins to decrease your cholesterol levels.