Stroke
A stroke happens when blood can’t reach part of the brain. The faster someone gets medical help, the less damage the stroke is likely to cause. If you think someone is having a stroke, call 999 right away and ask for an ambulance.
How to spot if someone if having a stroke
Watch the video below to learn the signs of a stroke and act FAST.
- FACE weakness: Can they smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
- ARM weakness: Can they raise both arms and keep them there?
- SPEECH problems: Can they speak clearly and understand what you say? Is their speech slurred?
- TIME TO CALL 999 if you see any one of these signs.
Are some people more likely to have a stroke than others?
You are more likely to have a stroke if you have:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Irregular heart beats (known as atrial fibrillation)
- Diabetes
If you're worried about your risk of having a stroke, speak to your GP.
Lower your risk of a stroke
You can lower your chances of havering a stroke by:
Check your pulse
According to the Stroke Association, Atrial fibrillation is the cause of 1 in 5 strokes, but many people don’t know they have it.
Atrial fibrillation is when your heart beats with an irregular rhythm.
When this happens, your heart won’t empty all of the blood out of its chambers with every beat. If your heart chambers aren’t empty, the leftover blood can form clots which travel from your heart into the brain, blocking off blood flow and causing a stroke.
You can check yourself or your friends and family at home, with a simple pulse check. Take a look at the video to find out how to check your pulse.
Related Services
Related services
Stroke Association Telephone Helpline
If you have a question or need to talk, our Stroke Support Helpline is here to support anyone affected by stroke in the UK.
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