A stroke is a type of brain attack caused by blood flow being interrupted by a bleed or a blockage. Bleeds are less common than blockages, but both share the same symptoms and need to be recognised quickly to minimise the damage caused to brain cells.
Who can be affected by a stroke?
Anyone can be affected by a stroke, even babies. They are more common amongst older people, however, and those with particular health risks.
Spotting signs of stroke
One of the many things you can learn on emergency first aid training courses offered by training providers such as www.tidaltraining.co.uk/emergency-first-aid-training-courses, is spotting the signs of a stroke. The key message is to act FAST. The word FAST refers to face, arms, speech and time.
Signs of a stroke can be the face falling to one side and the person being unable to smile or a person being unable to raise both of their arms and hold them there. Speech can become slurred and a stroke sufferer may struggle to remember words or repeat a phrase. If any of these signs are spotted, it is time to get help by calling 999.
Other symptoms of stroke
There are other symptoms that may suggest that a person is suffering from a stroke, such as sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body or difficulty speaking clearly in sentences or finding words. A person may experience sight loss or blurred vision, or sudden dizziness, confusion or memory loss. A sudden fall or lack of balance may be a sign of a stroke. Other signs to look out for include a severe or sudden headache or repeated vomiting.
Rapid response
A fast response is needed if someone is having a stroke, as the quicker the treatment, the less damage that is likely to be done. It is vital to call an ambulance straight away as around 1.9 million brain neurons can be lost for each minute that a stroke is left untreated.
FAQ
What does FAST stand for when spotting a stroke?
Recognise a stroke with FAST – Face, Arms, Speech and Time. Note a Face falling to one side, Arms not able to be raised and held there, and Speech slurred. Call 999 immediately if you notice any of the above signs and symptoms.
What are the other symptoms of a stroke?
Other symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness to half of the face, arm or leg, problems with speaking including difficulty finding words or making sentences, blurred vision or loss of vision, and sudden dizziness, confusion or loss of memory. A sudden fall, loss of balance, severe headache or vomiting repeatedly can also be a sign of a stroke.
Why should you call 999 straight away for a stroke?
It’s crucial to call 999 as soon as possible as the faster the treatment is administered the less brain damage there is. Every minute that a stroke is left untreated around 1.9 million brain neurons can be lost. Getting an ambulance to the scene as quickly as possible helps to minimise the amount of damage that brain cells sustain.
Who can have a stroke?
A stroke can occur in anyone, even a baby. They are more common in the older sector of the population and in people with particular health risks. A stroke is caused by a blockage or a bleed in the blood supply to part of the brain. The blockage is more common than a haemorrhage.