As many stroke survivors can tell you, there are often early signs of stroke.
The FAST test is an easy way to recognise and remember the most common signs of a stroke.
The FAST test stands for:
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 straight away.
All the signs of both stroke and TIA may be any one, or combination of the following:
Weakness or numbness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg on either or both sides of the body
Difficulty speaking or understanding
Dizziness, loss of balance or an unexplained fall
Loss of vision, sudden blurred or decreased vision in one or both eyes Headache, usually severe and of abrupt onset or unexplained change in the pattern of headaches