DO YOU KNOW THE SYMPTOMS OF A STROKE

Stroke is a brain attack and is a very serious medical emergency.

If you suspect that someone has had a stroke, you need to call 999 or 112 immediately and summon an ambulance.

Anyone can help a person having a stroke by following the F.A.S.T. acronym. It provides a guideline on how to recognise some of the symptoms of stroke and what to do about it.

F – Face: has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile? Is their smile lopsided?

A – Arms: Can they raise both arms and keep them there? Or does one arm drift downwards?

S – Speech: is their speech slurred?

T –Time to call 999 or 112 if you spot any one of these signs.

Remember – you do not need to see ALL these symptoms together for it to be a stroke. Just a single symptom is enough to call an ambulance.
Recognising stroke and calling for appropriate help i.e an ambulance FAST can help to get the patient the vital help they require as soon as possible. Every minute counts for someone having a stroke.
 

Some stroke information for you:

• 10,000 people in Ireland are admitted to hospital with stroke each year.
• 1,200 people in the West of Ireland are diagnosed with stroke each year.
• Stroke is the third most common cause of death and the most common cause of acquired physical disability in Ireland.
• There are 30,000 survivors of stroke in Ireland, many of whom have significant disabilities.
• Approximately 80 per cent of strokes are caused by a blockage of an artery supplying blood to the brain. 20 per cent of strokes are caused by a bleed into the brain from a burst blood vessel in the brain.
• Under-65s account for about one third of strokes.