Act FAST on the first sign of stroke, the Stroke Association says. The charity is concerned people are waiting for all three of the ‘FAST’ stroke symptoms to appear before raising the alarm.
In fact, the public should be treating stroke as a medical emergency when any one stroke symptom appears. – most commonly these are Face (F) or Arm (A), or Speech (S). The moment a stroke is suspected, is Time (T) to dial 999.
Face weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
Arm weakness: Can the person raise both arms?
Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
Adam Henderson, 24 from Broxburn had a stroke at the age of 23, which initially only presented as one symptom. At the time his stroke began, he was in the hairdresser’s and noticed that as people were talking to him, he had started to grunt, and couldn’t speak properly.
Even though he only had one of the ‘FAST’ symptoms at the time, the customers realised something was seriously wrong with Adam. At this point, Adam’s arms and face were unaffected. They called his partner’s mum – a nurse, who immediately knew it was a stroke. Everyone acted quickly to get Adam the treatment he needed.
Adam said: “When I got to hospital, I couldn’t walk. My head was shaking and the need to fall asleep was overwhelming.”
John Watson, Associate Director Scotland of the Stroke Association, said: “There are amazing treatments for stroke which can prevent death and disability. However, there is a short time period to receive treatment.
“That is why immediate action is needed for any one symptom of stroke. Time lost is brain lost. A typical patient loses 1.9 million neurons each minute in which stroke is untreated, which can lead to death or disability.
“As soon as you notice any one symptom of stroke, it is time to take action. Very few people get all three of the FAST symptoms. Dial 999.”
Although Adam initially only had one FAST symptom (Speech), the inability to walk that he later developed can also be a sign of stroke:
The FAST test helps spot the three most common symptoms of stroke. But there are other signs that you should always take seriously. These include:
- Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, including legs, hands or feet.
- Difficulty finding words or speaking in clear sentences.
- Sudden blurred vision or loss of sight in one or both eyes.
- Sudden memory loss or confusion, and dizziness or a sudden fall.
- A sudden, severe headache.
When Adam got to hospital, he was quickly wheeled in for a brain scan. The doctors decided that given the seriousness of the stroke, the type of stroke and where it was in the brain that he would be a suitable candidate for clot removal surgery, mechanical thrombectomy.
Adam was a fortunate candidate for thrombectomy, because of the speed people had in spotting his stroke, getting to hospital and receiving a diagnosis quickly. At first, Adam was displaying only one sign of stroke using the FAST test, but thankfully that was enough for those who were with him to raise the alarm.
He was put to sleep and the procedure took 20 minutes. Within ten minutes of coming round, Adam was able to walk again. Having been completely unable to do anything physically before the procedure was performed, the first thing Adam wanted and was able to do, was go and have a shower by himself.
Around one in every three people who receive a thrombectomy following their stroke will be less disabled than they otherwise would have been as a result. Around one in five will be able to function completely independently afterwards.
Thrombectomy is a suitable treatment to save lives and reduce disability for around one in every ten people who have a stroke.
John Watson, Associate Director Scotland of the Stroke Association, said: “Strokes and TIAs [aka mini-strokes] are medical emergencies even if the symptoms appear to get better or go away.
“Treatments for stroke become less suitable over time, so calling 999 as soon as possible leads to the best chance of survival and the best recovery. Look out for any one sign of stroke using the FAST test and take immediate action.
“No matter what festivities are happening around you, at this time of the year, or at any other time, do not delay.”
Any symptom of FAST – take action
Do not wait for all three signs to appear. Any of these signs – even one sign – means you need to take immediate action. Time to call 999.
Adam feels very fortunate that his stroke was recognised and treated as a medical emergency. He is now back at work, driving and has returned to his hobbies.
Now he is urging the public to learn how to recognise the signs of a stroke and take immediate action on should they suspect stroke.
“I was very lucky. I got to hospital fast and received this incredible treatment. Not everyone receives that treatment – one reason being the speed of a person able to identify any of the signs of stroke and taking immediate action.
“I know the people with me at the time are glad they recognised my stroke; they would have felt dreadful should it have been missed. “
John concluded: “Knowing the signs and symptoms of stroke needs to be reinforced on a regular basis to the public.
“That is why we are pleased to see a commitment from The Scottish Government in their Stroke Action Plan, to invest in the Act FAST campaign, and continue to raise awareness of the symptoms of stroke. We look forward to seeing this carried out in Scotland as soon as possible.”
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