Signs and Symptoms

What to do if someone is having a stroke

Stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention as every minute is vital. If you experience or spot any of the below, don’t wait. Call 999 straight away.

How to identify a stroke

The FAST acronym (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) is a test to quickly identify the three most common signs of stroke.

• Face weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
• Arm weakness: Can the person raise both arms fully and keep them there?
• Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say? Is their speech slurred
• Time to call 999: if you see any one of these signs.

Acting FAST will give the person having a stroke the best chance of survival and recovery. Even if it doesn’t seem like much, any one of these signs of stroke is an emergency, so always call 000 immediately.

Ambulance paramedics are trained in stroke and will ensure the person receives emergency medical care and specialist treatment.

Other symptoms and signs of a stroke

The FAST test helps spot the three most common signs of stroke. But there are other signs and symptoms that you should always take seriously. These include:

• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, including legs, hands or feet.
• Difficulty finding words or speaking in clear sentences.
• Sudden blurred vision or loss of sight in one or both eyes.
• Sudden memory loss or confusion.
• Sudden dizziness, unsteadiness or a sudden fall.
• A sudden, severe headache.

If you spot any one of these signs or symptoms, don’t wait. Call 999 straight away.

How long do symptoms last?

Symptoms vary between different people but often come on suddenly.

If the symptoms only last a short amount of time, it could be a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke. It is still vital to call 999 and get urgent medical attention. A TIA is a medical emergency and a warning that you are at risk of having a stroke. See our TIA pages for more information.

Find out more

• Learn more about stroke.
• Find out how to reduce your risk of stroke.
• Find out about a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke.