A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted. Timely intervention is crucial for minimizing brain damage and long-term disability. There is a general rule for recognizing the signs of stroke.

FAST is an easy-to-remember acronym that helps in recognizing the signs of stroke:

F – Face Drooping

• Does one side of the face appear numb or droop? Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the mouth droop lower than the other?

A – Arm Weakness

• Can the person raise both arms equally? Does one arm drift downward or feel weak? Ask them to hold both arms out straight with palms facing down. Does one arm begin to sink?

S – Speech Difficulty

• Is the person’s speech slurred or difficult to understand? Are they unable to speak at all? Ask them to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech clear and coherent?

T – Time to Call Emergency Services

If you notice any of these signs in yourself or someone else, call emergency services immediately at 09155556030, 09155556040. 

Recognizing other signs of a stroke:

While FAST covers the major signs, here are some other symptoms to be aware of:

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause
• Sudden confusion or trouble understanding speech
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden difficulty walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
• Numbness or tingling sensation anywhere in the body