Do you know the signs of stroke and what to do?
Every five minutes someone in the UK has a Stroke. It can happen to anyone, of any age, at any time, changing lives in an instant.
The faster a stroke patient receives treatment, the better their chances are of surviving and reducing long-term disability. It is vital that you know the signs of stroke and what to do. You could save a life if you spot the signs of a stroke. Using the FAST test is the best way to do this.
- Face: Can the person smile? Has their face fallen on one side?
- Arms: Can the person raise both arms and keep them there?
- Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say? Is their speech slurred?
- Time: If you see any of these three signs, it’s time to call 999.
A stroke is a medical emergency. Always dial 999. The quicker they arrive at a specialist stroke unit, the quicker they will receive appropriate treatment.
If you, or someone else, show any of the signs of you must call 999 without delay.
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stroke
A great story from the Stroke Association
One woman’s quick thinking saved her husband’s life. Meet Terry and Phillip, pictured on the left.
The day of Phillip’s stroke started like any other, he worked an early shift and headed home. But when he got there in the afternoon, he felt more tired than usual. Thinking nothing of it, he had a cup of tea and a shower then went to sleep. When he woke up, he wasn’t acting normally. His speech was slurred, his face drooped and he had problems with his sight. It’s lucky that Terry had seen the FAST campaign on Facebook a few days before. She recognised that Phillip had some of the symptoms of stroke and knew to call 999 immediately.
Terry’s knowledge of FAST, and quick thinking, meant Phillip was rushed to the hospital and got the emergency treatment he needed. Acting FAST meant Philip has the best chance of recovery. You never know when a stroke may strike. Spotting the signs of a stroke early, and immediately calling 999 gets people the life-saving treatment they need. And it’s not just about saving lives, quick treatment also means a better recovery.
Remembering to act FAST, prepares you to give someone the best chance of recovery.
Forwarding FAST to a friend could make them a lifesaver. Like Terry.
