What are the signs of a stroke, and what should I do immediately?
Sudden facial droop, limb weakness or speech difficulty can signal a stroke. Sudden balance problems or vision loss can also occur. Call emergency services immediately, even if symptoms disappear, and note when the person was last known to be well.
Details
A quick check cannot exclude every stroke
Ask the person to smile, lift both arms and repeat a simple sentence. Abnormal findings require emergency help, but normal results do not exclude stroke when sudden visual or balance problems or an unusual severe headache occur.
Time affects treatment
Report symptom onset, or the last normal time if the person woke with symptoms. Do not wait for a clinic appointment or improvement, and do not drive yourself. Symptoms that resolve may represent a transient ischaemic attack and still need urgent assessment.
While help is coming
Follow the dispatcher’s instructions and prepare a medicine list, especially blood thinners. Avoid food or drink if swallowing is uncertain. Do not start aspirin yourself: some strokes involve bleeding and need different treatment. Examination and brain imaging guide the correct care.
Related reading: How can I reduce my risk of stroke?.