What is the FAST test for stroke?

Face — has their face dropped on one side? Arms — can they raise both arms and keep them there? Speech — is their speech slurred or garbled? Time — if you see any of these, call 999 immediately.

What causes a stroke?

Most strokes are ischaemic — a blood clot blocks an artery to the brain. Haemorrhagic strokes happen when a blood vessel bursts. Risk factors include high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol and age.

What is a TIA (mini-stroke)?

A transient ischaemic attack causes stroke-like symptoms that resolve within 24 hours, often within minutes. It is a warning sign — about 1 in 3 people who have a TIA go on to have a full stroke if not treated. Always seek emergency assessment.

Can stroke be treated?

Yes, if reached quickly. Clot-busting drugs (thrombolysis) and mechanical clot removal can restore blood flow in ischaemic stroke if given within hours. Rehabilitation — physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy — supports recovery over months.

How can I reduce my stroke risk?

Control blood pressure, take anticoagulants if prescribed for atrial fibrillation, stop smoking, eat healthily, exercise regularly, limit alcohol, and manage diabetes and high cholesterol. NHS Health Checks help identify risk early.

Stroke | HealthAnswers

Quick answer

What is stroke?

A stroke happens when blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. It is a medical emergency — call 999 immediately if someone's face droops on one side, they cannot raise both arms, or their speech is slurred or strange. Fast treatment saves lives and reduces long-term disability.

Stroke is a medical emergency

A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted, causing brain cells to die within minutes. It is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the UK, but fast recognition and treatment dramatically improve outcomes. If you suspect a stroke, call 999 immediately — do not drive the person to hospital yourself unless told to.

Recognise stroke — the FAST test

Use FAST to check for the most common signs:

F — Face. Has their face dropped on one side? Can they smile? One side of the mouth may droop.

A — Arms. Can they raise both arms and keep them there? One arm may drift downward.

S — Speech. Is their speech slurred or garbled? Can they repeat a simple sentence?

T — Time. If you see any of these signs, call 999 immediately. Note when symptoms started — this helps treatment decisions.

Other stroke symptoms can include sudden weakness or numbness on one side, confusion, vision loss in one or both eyes, severe headache, and loss of balance.

Types of stroke

Ischaemic stroke — about 85% of strokes. A blood clot blocks an artery to the brain. Emergency clot-busting treatment (thrombolysis) or mechanical clot retrieval may be possible within hours of onset.

Haemorrhagic stroke — a blood vessel bursts in or around the brain. Less common but often more severe. Treatment focuses on controlling bleeding and reducing pressure.

TIA (transient ischaemic attack) — sometimes called a mini-stroke. Symptoms are like a stroke but resolve within 24 hours. A TIA is a warning sign — urgent assessment and treatment prevent a full stroke.

What to do while waiting for an ambulance

Call 999 — say you suspect a stroke
Note the time symptoms started
Keep the person comfortable, sitting or lying with head slightly raised if breathless
Do not give food or drink — swallowing may be affected
If they are unconscious but breathing, place in the recovery position
Loosen tight clothing

Do not wait to see if symptoms improve before calling.

Recovery after stroke

Recovery varies widely. Some people recover fully; others have lasting effects on movement, speech, memory or mood. Early rehabilitation — physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy — is crucial. Stroke services and charities such as the Stroke Association provide long-term support.

Reducing your risk

The biggest modifiable risk factor is high blood pressure. Other important steps:

take prescribed medicines — including anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation
stop smoking
maintain a healthy weight and diet
exercise regularly
limit alcohol
manage diabetes and high cholesterol

NHS Health Checks from age 40 (in England) assess cardiovascular risk including stroke.

Stroke vs other conditions

Migraine can cause one-sided weakness or speech disturbance (hemiplegic migraine) but develops differently from stroke. When in doubt, treat as stroke and call 999.

Sudden severe chest pain with stroke symptoms may indicate a heart problem — still call 999.

Common questions

What is the FAST test for stroke?: Face — has their face dropped on one side? Arms — can they raise both arms and keep them there? Speech — is their speech slurred or garbled? Time — if you see any of these, call 999 immediately.
What causes a stroke?: Most strokes are ischaemic — a blood clot blocks an artery to the brain. Haemorrhagic strokes happen when a blood vessel bursts. Risk factors include high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol and age.
What is a TIA (mini-stroke)?: A transient ischaemic attack causes stroke-like symptoms that resolve within 24 hours, often within minutes. It is a warning sign — about 1 in 3 people who have a TIA go on to have a full stroke if not treated. Always seek emergency assessment.
Can stroke be treated?: Yes, if reached quickly. Clot-busting drugs (thrombolysis) and mechanical clot removal can restore blood flow in ischaemic stroke if given within hours. Rehabilitation — physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy — supports recovery over months.
How can I reduce my stroke risk?: Control blood pressure, take anticoagulants if prescribed for atrial fibrillation, stop smoking, eat healthily, exercise regularly, limit alcohol, and manage diabetes and high cholesterol. NHS Health Checks help identify risk early.

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Stroke