The first sign of a stroke might not seem like much – you could be struggling to smile (Face), you might not be able to raise your arm (Arm), or slurring when you speak (Speech).
Just one symptom could mean a stroke, and it could come on very suddenly.
Even if it doesn’t seem like it, any sign of a stroke is always an emergency. But do you have the knowledge you need to detect a possible stroke, and would you know what to do?
NHS England’s latest campaign shines a light on the vital importance of recognising stroke symptoms and urges people to call 999 when they notice any one sign. Strokes are the fourth single leading cause of death in the UK, with 38,000 stroke-related deaths each year.
Calling 999 immediately means that a stroke can be diagnosed and treated earlier. However, new data has found that the average time between someone first having symptoms and calling 999 was nearly an hour and a half.
We all need to know the signs of stroke
A stroke can happen to anyone at any age, but people from a South Asian background, or with existing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or sickle cell disease, have an even higher risk.
This means that, as a community, we must rally together to empower ourselves with the knowledge – it’s everyone’s business to be able to spot potential stroke symptoms and to act quickly. Whether you may be at risk of having a stroke yourself, or are in a position to help someone else, we can all potentially save lives if we know what to look for.
Well-known medic, Dr Amir Khan, is fronting a new short video for the campaign, asking members of the community whether they think they would be able to recognise some of the first signs of a stroke.
Dr Khan believes that bringing the community together, ensuring that everyone can spot the symptoms and knows what to do, is a very important step: “A stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK, and we know that our community is at greater risk of stroke, at a younger age.
“So, it’s crucial that we’re all aware of the symptoms and that we call 999 without delay. The first sign of a stroke actually might not seem like much, but every minute is vital – getting quick access to specialist treatment can be lifesaving and can reduce long-term disability.
“Whether someone is unable to raise their arm, struggling to smile or slurring when they speak – any sign is always an emergency and you need to call 999 immediately.”
Stories from our community
While at her daughter’s house, Latika Patel was feeling unusually tired, and walking had become more difficult.
As a retired nurse, Latika thought it was something to do with her ongoing fluctuating blood pressure, but her daughter noticed that her mother was quieter than usual. Latika’s speech was only mildly affected, but she found herself slurring slightly. She also found that she couldn’t smile, or lift her left arm.
Latika says: “My daughter said that she knew I was having a stroke, but I had no idea and thought I would be fine. Even with my nursing knowledge, it took someone else to recognise the signs.
“Thankfully my daughter acted quickly and called 999.”
Latika had suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. If it had not been caught in time, there would have been a great risk to her health and her future. Thankfully, she is now on the road to recovery.
Niraj Shah wasn’t sure exactly what was wrong when he called 999, but he knew he needed help. Niraj has made a full recovery since his stroke, and now knows that acting quickly can make a huge difference.
“I didn’t know anything about strokes before I had one myself. I thought it only happened to ‘old’ people.
“If you spot anything that you think could be a sign of stroke, call 999 and describe what’s happening. Worst case scenario, it’s a false alarm, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.’
Latika counts herself lucky and wants everyone to be able to know what to look out for. “If my daughter hadn’t known the signs of stroke, my story could have been very different,” she adds.
“We all need to recognise the signs and be prepared to take action immediately by calling 999 at any one sign. You won’t be wasting anyone’s time and you could save your life, or someone else’s.”
Face or arm or speech, at the first sign, it’s time to call 999.
For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/stroke/symptoms/
Act FAST
Face or Arm or Speech, at the first sign, it’s Time to call 999.
Symptoms of stroke can appear suddenly:
- Struggling to smile (Face)
- Not being able to raise your arm (Arms)
- Slurring when you speak (Speech)
Other signs & symptoms can include:
- Weakness or numbness down one side of your body
- Blurred vision or loss of sight in one or both eyes
- Finding it difficult to speak or think of words
- Confusion and memory loss
- Feeling dizzy or falling over
- A severe headache
