Act F.A.S.T.

Why you must act fast

A stroke is a ‘brain attack’, caused by a disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. It’s a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. So recognising the signs of stroke and calling 999 for an ambulance is crucial.

Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is also called “mini-stroke”. It is similar to a stroke and has the same signs, but gets better within 24 hours. However, it could be a warning sign of a more serious stroke, so it also needs to be treated as an emergency by calling 999 immediately.

Rapid diagnosis allows urgent steps to be taken to reduce the risk of having a stroke. If you think you have had a TIA in the past and have not sought treatment, contact your GP.

The sooner somebody who is having a stroke gets urgent medical attention, the better their chances of a good recovery

What is F.A.S.T.?

Face

Has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?

Arms

Can they raise both arms and keep them there?

Speech

Is their speech slurred?

Time

If you notice any of these things dial 999

Reducing your risk of a stroke

Some people are more at risk of having a stroke if they also have certain medical conditions. These include:

High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat)
Diabetes

It is important that these conditions are carefully monitored and treated to reduce your chance of having a stroke.

The risk of having a stroke is higher amongst people in certain ethnic groups, including South Asian, African and Caribbean. This is partly because high blood pressure and diabetes are more common in these groups.

There are also lifestyle factors that may significantly increase the risk of having a stroke. They include: