Stroke Is a Medical Emergency
Every minute of stroke, 1.9 million brain neurons die. Prompt action — calling an ambulance immediately — is the single most important thing a bystander can do. Treatment within the "golden window" (4.5 hours for clot-busting, 24 hours for thrombectomy) can restore function completely.
The FAST Acronym
- F — Face drooping: One side of the face droops; asymmetric smile
- A — Arm weakness: One arm weak or numb; cannot hold both arms raised equally
- S — Speech difficulty: Slurred, garbled, or inability to speak or understand
- T — Time to call 112: If ANY of these signs, call immediately
Additional Signs (BE-FAST)
- B — Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination
- E — Eyes: Sudden vision loss or double vision in one or both eyes
Types of Stroke
- Ischaemic (85%): Blood clot blocks a brain artery. Treated with tPA (clot-buster) or mechanical thrombectomy
- Haemorrhagic (15%): Blood vessel bursts in or around the brain. Surgical treatment in selected cases
Risk Factors You Can Control
- High blood pressure (most important) — target <130/80 mmHg
- Atrial fibrillation — anticoagulation prevents embolic stroke
- Diabetes and high cholesterol
- Smoking — doubles stroke risk
- Obesity and physical inactivity
FAQ
Can stroke happen at any age? Yes — while stroke risk increases with age, 10–15% of strokes occur in people under 45. Young stroke causes include cardiac emboli, thrombophilia, and cervical artery dissection.