Stroke

Stroke is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment due to the lack of blood supply to the brain. Medical professionals should be aware of the red flags to provide immediate diagnosis and rapid treatment. 

In the community setting 999 should be called immediately if such red flags are present. 


  • Remember FAST:
  • Face- has the face dropped on one side?
  • Arms – can the patient raise both arms and keep them raised?
  • Speech- is speech slurred/garbled? Can they speak
    clearly?
  • Time- If any of these three signs are seen, call 999
    immediately
  • Paralysis on one side of the body
  • Loss or blurred vision
  • Dizziness
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Difficulty understanding what is being said
  • Sudden and very severe headache