How can you tell if someone is having a stroke?
The Australian Stroke Foundation helps us recognise the signs of stroke –
Think… F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time)
Using the F.A.S.T. test involves asking these simple questions:
Face – Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
Arms – Can they lift both arms?
Speech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
Time – Is critical.
If you see any of these signs call 000 and ask for an ambulance immediately.
The faster you get to hospital for treatment for stroke, the better your chance of survival and of making a good recovery.
Time saved is brain saved. When a stroke happens, brain cells start dying at a frightening rate of up to 1.9 million per minute, but medical treatments can stop this damage. The faster you can be treated after stroke, the more chance you have of making a full recovery.
A stroke can happen to anyone of any age. We urge you to familiarise yourself with the signs.
Source: Stroke Foundation
