Stroke symptoms: how to recognise them and how to respond?
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A stroke is one of the most alarming medical emergencies. Recognising it quickly and responding immediately can be crucial to saving a life and reducing long-term complications. How do you recognise a stroke, and how should you respond if you notice the signs of one in someone? You will find out in the text below.
Although the subject is fairly well known, it is worth sharing and repeating again and again. This article may even save someone’s life, or reduce the effects of a stroke, by helping it to be recognised quickly and help to be called immediately.
Symptoms of a stroke
The symptoms of a stroke can vary and depend on the area of the brain currently being damaged by the lack of blood flow or the bleeding, as well as on the severity of the stroke — that is, the extent of the damage. The most common symptoms include:
- A sudden feeling of weakness or numbness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding speech.
- Sudden problems with vision in one or both eyes.
- Sudden difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
- A sudden, severe headache with no known cause.
- Loss of consciousness or awareness.
- Difficulty swallowing.
Recognising a stroke: the FAST test
Recognising a stroke is crucial for taking immediate action. The FAST test is a technique that helps identify the symptoms of a stroke and is one of the three life-saving steps for recognising a stroke. FAST is an acronym that stands for: Face, Arms, Speech and Time.
- Face: Ask the person to smile. Check whether one corner of the mouth is drooping or motionless.
- Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms and hold them up in the air. Check whether one arm drifts downwards or whether the person has difficulty keeping one arm raised.
- Speech: Ask the person to say a simple sentence. Check whether their speech is slurred or whether they have difficulty speaking or understanding.
- Time: If you notice any of these symptoms, call the emergency services immediately.
How to respond when you notice the symptoms of a stroke in someone?
If you suspect that someone is having a stroke, it is essential to act immediately. Here are a few steps you should take:
- Call the emergency services: dial the emergency number straight away. During the call, stay calm, explain the situation clearly and give the exact address.
- Stay with the person: remember to stay with them until medical help arrives.
- Gather information: if possible, collect as much information as you can about the person having the stroke.
- Clear the way in: for example, make sure the front door is open and the access routes are clear.
With a stroke, time is life. Identifying the symptoms quickly and taking immediate action can significantly increase the chances of survival and minimise long-term damage to the brain, and then make effective stroke rehabilitation easier.
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