If you suspect you or someone else is having a stroke, phone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance. Even if the symptoms disappear while you're waiting for the ambulance, it's still important to go to hospital for an assessment.

After an initial assessment, you will be referred to a specialist for further tests to help determine the cause of the stroke. You should be referred to see a specialist within 24 hours of the start of your symptoms. Treatment can also begin if necessary.

Symptoms of a stroke that disappear quickly and in less than 24 hours may mean you had a transient ischaemic attack (TIA).

These symptoms should also be treated as a medical emergency to reduce the chances of having another stroke.

Recognising the signs of a stroke

The signs and symptoms of a stroke vary from person to person, but usually begin suddenly. As different parts of your brain control different parts of your body, your symptoms will depend on the part of your brain affected and the extent of the damage.

The main stroke symptoms can be remembered with the word FAST:

• Face – the face may have dropped on 1 side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have drooped.
• Arms – the person may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in 1 arm.
• Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you're saying to them.
• Time – it's time to dial 999 immediately if you notice any of these signs or symptoms.

It's important for everyone to be aware of these signs and symptoms, particularly if you live with or care for a person who is in a high-risk group, such as someone who is elderly or has diabetes or high blood pressure.

Other possible symptoms

Symptoms in the FAST test identify most strokes, but occasionally a stroke can cause different symptoms. Other signs and symptoms may include:

• complete paralysis of 1 side of the body
• sudden loss or blurring of vision
• dizziness
• confusion
• difficulty understanding what others are saying
• problems with balance and co-ordination
• difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• a sudden and very severe headache resulting in a blinding pain unlike anything experienced before
• loss of consciousness

But there may be other causes of these symptoms.