Symptoms of stroke

If you suspect a stroke call 103 immediately and ask for an ambulance as soon as possible.

In case the symptoms disappear before the ambulance arrives, it is still extremely important to go to hospital and have a medical assessment.

Recognizing the signs of a stroke

The signs and symptoms of a stroke may differ from person to person, but usually they occur suddenly.

The symptoms will depend on the part of the brain affected and the extent of the damage.

The main stroke symptoms can be remembered with the word F.A.S.T.:

• Face – a person may not be able to smile. A face may be dropped on 1 side.
• Arms – a person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift both arms and keep them in the same level because of weakness or numbness in 1 arm.
• Speech – a person may not be able to talk and may have problems understanding what is said to him | her. The speech may be slurred.
• Time – time is critical! Call 103 immediately if you notice any of these signs or symptoms.

It's important for everyone to be aware of these signs and symptoms.

Other possible symptoms

Symptoms mentioned above identify most strokes, but occasionally a stroke can cause different symptoms.

Other symptoms and signs may include:

• paralysis of 1 side of the body
• sudden loss or blurring of vision (1 eye or both)
• dizziness, loss of balance or an unexplained fall
• confusion
• severe headache
• difficulty swallowing
• loss of consciousness

Symptoms of a stroke that disappear quickly (from few minutes to few hours, disappearing completely in less than 24 hours) may mean you had a mini-stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA). These symptoms should also be treated as a medical emergency to reduce the chances of having another stroke.