By recognising the warning signs of a stroke and taking quick action, you could save your life and reduce the likelihood of permanent brain damage.
Warning signs may occur alone or in combination and may last only a few seconds or up to 24 hours and then disappear. These signs are sometimes called 'mini-strokes' or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and should not be ignored. They indicate a hidden problem with blood flow which could trigger a stroke.
The signs of stroke or TIA could be one or a combination of:
If you recognise any of these in yourself or someone you are with, call 000 immediately.
The FAST test is an easy way to remember and recognise the most common signs of stroke. FAST stands for Facial weakness, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to act. Using the FAST test involves asking 3 simple questions:
Last Reviewed: 08 January 2008