World Stroke Day is observed on October 29 every year to raise awareness about stroke symptoms, prevention and the importance of timely treatment.
Recognising the warning signs and seeking immediate medical attention can make a critical difference to a patient's outcome.
How to Recognise Stroke Symptoms Using FAST
Stroke symptoms usually appear suddenly. A person may have difficulty speaking, weakness on one side of the body or trouble maintaining balance while walking. These signs should never be dismissed as ordinary tiredness or temporary weakness.
The internationally used FAST method can help identify the warning signs of a stroke.
F — Face: Ask the person to smile. Check whether one side of their face droops or looks uneven.
A — Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. If one arm is weak, difficult to lift or keeps falling, it may indicate a stroke.
S — Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Slurred speech, difficulty finding words or trouble understanding what is being said are warning signs.
T — Time: If any of these symptoms appear, call an ambulance immediately. Do not wait to see whether they disappear.
Other symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, difficulty seeing with one or both eyes, trouble walking, loss of balance and a sudden severe headache.
Even if the symptoms disappear after a few minutes, urgent medical assessment is necessary.
Call an Ambulance and Note When Symptoms Started
If you suspect a stroke, seek emergency medical help immediately. Do not wait for the person's condition to improve on its own.
Try to remember when the symptoms first appeared. If the exact time is unknown, note when the person was last seen behaving normally. This information helps doctors decide which treatments may be appropriate.
Some stroke treatments are highly time-sensitive. Eligible patients may receive medication to dissolve a blood clot or undergo a procedure to remove a clot blocking a blood vessel.
However, these treatments are not suitable for every patient. Doctors assess the type of stroke, brain imaging results, the patient's condition and the time symptoms began before deciding on treatment.
What to Do While Waiting for Medical Help
Stay with the patient and try to keep them calm while the ambulance is on its way. Help them sit or lie down somewhere safe to prevent falls and injuries. Do not make them walk around or engage in physical activity.
Do not give the patient food, water or other drinks. A stroke can affect swallowing, increasing the risk of food or liquid entering the airway.
Avoid giving aspirin or any other medication without medical advice. Some strokes are caused by bleeding in the brain, and aspirin can make the bleeding worse.
Do not waste time trying home remedies or waiting for a relative to arrive before seeking help.
Emergency medical transport is preferable to taking the patient in a private vehicle because ambulance staff can monitor and manage the patient's condition en route and alert the hospital in advance.
How Doctors Diagnose and Treat a Stroke
At the hospital, doctors may use a CT scan or MRI to determine the type of stroke and guide treatment.
The distinction is critical because strokes caused by blocked blood vessels require different treatment from those caused by bleeding in the brain. Prompt assessment helps doctors determine the safest and most appropriate intervention.
Sudden neurological symptoms should never be dismissed as tiredness or temporary weakness. Early recognition, immediate emergency care and timely treatment can help reduce the risk of lasting disability.
Medical experts emphasise that family members, friends and caregivers should learn to recognise the early warning signs of a stroke so they can act quickly when an emergency occurs.
