Recognising stroke signs

A stroke deprives your brain of oxygen, which is a very serious medical emergency. Without oxygen, your brain cells begin to die. These brain cells do not regenerate. Every minute a stroke is untreated, you lose around 1.9 million neurons, 14 billion synapses, and 12 km of myelinated fibres - all critical elements of a healthy brain. Delaying treatment can result in permanent brain damage, disability, or death.

If you can recognise the signs of stroke and call 111 quickly, you can minimise this irreversible damage to the brain. Some treatments must be given within a certain time period of a stroke's onset, making it critical for patients to reach the hospital quickly.

The F.A.S.T. acronym catches the majority of strokes. However, there are some other symptoms that can be associated with strokes, including:

• severe headache with no known cause
• vision changes
• trouble walking, vertigo, or loss of balance
• numbness of face, arm or leg, especially if it's only on one side of the body

If you suspect a stroke, even if the person is not experiencing the F.A.S.T. symptoms, call 111 immediately.

A stroke is a medical emergency. If you suspect someone is having a stroke, they need immediate medical attention.

Calling 111 is the best way to get medical attention. It means that an ambulance will be sent to help, and the first responders can assess the situation and prime the hospital to prepare for the patient’s arrival. This helps ensure they are triaged appropriately and receive treatment quickly. This may not happen if you take the person to the hospital yourself.