Act F.A.S.T. Call 999 if you see any single one of the signs of a stroke.
A stroke is known as a ‘brain attack’. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention as every minute is vital. That is why calling 999 is so crucial.
When Stroke Strikes Act F.A.S.T. Call 999
• Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
• Arms – can they raise both arms and keep them there?
• Speech – is their speech slurred?
• Time – even if you’re not sure, call 999.
Facts on strokes:
• Stroke is the fourth single leading cause of death in the UK and the single largest cause of complex disability.
• The estimated aggregate societal cost of stroke is £26 billion per year, including £8.6 billion for NHS and social care.
• Around 100,000 people have strokes each year in the UK. This is around one stroke every five minutes.
• Stroke also disproportionately affects some groups, with black people being twice as likely to have a stroke than white people.
• On average, people of Black African, Black Caribbean and South Asian descent in the UK have strokes when they are younger.
• Prompt recognition of symptoms ensures that people having a stroke can get emergency treatment earlier giving them the best chance of survival and recovery.
Early recognition of symptoms can give stroke patients those extra precious minutes, enabling faster access to specialist treatment.
Whether it is a friend, loved one or even a stranger, dialing 999 quickly and acting F.A.S.T saves lives and gives stroke patients their best chance to access emergency procedures and to have recovery which could reduce the long-term effects such as a disability.
Support
Stroke Helpline is a place for information and support. If you or someone you know has been affected by stroke, or you want to know more information on how to reduce your risk of a stroke, please get in touch.
Call Stroke Helpline now on 0303 3033 100 or email helpline@stroke.org.uk.
Halton Stroke support
This local service can offer you opportunities to rebuild confidence and independence, and help you to rebuild your life after stroke or mini strokes. For stroke survivirs and their family and carers.
Contact: Alison Gilfoyle Email: halton.team@stroke.org.uk Call: 01928 249487
