Signs Of Stroke

The warning signs of stroke can be vague and are often unrecognized.

The (FAST) “Face, Arm, Speech, Time to call 999" Test, can quickly identify stroke.
Look for any of the key stroke signs:

3 signs of stroke call 999
"ambulance"
"stroke"
Image adapted from Hope 4 Stroke by Peter Cornelis


The signs you're looking for are any of:

  • Facial weakness – ask the person to smile
  • Arm weakness – ask the person to raise both arms like sleep walking
  • Speech disturbance – ask the person to speak a simple sentence

The symptoms you're looking for are any of:
  • Face - one side of face dropped ~ crooked smile
  • Arms - can't raise both arms to same height
  • Speech - may be garbled or slurred

You don't have to be 100% sure - call 999 anyway and quickly.
Ask for an Ambulance for someone you think is having a stroke.

Early diagnosis and treatment within the first 3 hours
can significantly reduce the damage done to the brain*.

* See Clot Busting by clicking here

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