Stroke
Overview
- Adapted from NHS
Recognising a stroke – think FAST
- Face: may have dropped on one side (or just the mouth or eye may have dropped) and they may not be able to smile
- Arms: they may not be able to lift both arms or keep them raised
- Speech: this may be slurred or garbled, or they may not be able to talk at all despite seeming to be awake, or they might have problems understanding what you are saying to them
- Time: phone 999 immediately if any of these are present
Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
- A transient ischaemic attack (TIA, also known as a mini-stroke) occurs where the blood supply to the brain is temporarily interrupted. It can last a few minutes or persist for hours (NHS states up to a day). A TIA is a medical emergency and cannot be distinguished from a completed stroke at the time of onset, so call 999 even if the symptoms have already resolved — the person still needs hospital assessment. TIAs should be treated urgently since they may suggest that the patient is at risk of having a full stroke in the near future