Understanding The Warning Signs Of A Stroke: Acting FAST Can Save Lives

A stroke is an emergency that demands immediate attention as every second counts. Recognising the warning signs early can help save lives and improve the chances of successful treatment. Here are key signs of stroke that you should be aware of.

There’s a significant rise in stroke cases across India. Millions of people are losing their lives due to stroke. A stroke occurs when the supply of oxygen-rich blood is abruptly stopped or reduced to a part of the brain. This prevents the brain tissues from getting sufficient oxygen and nutrients to perform vital functions. This can severely damage one's brain and impact his/her quality of life. Individuals need to act fast when it comes to diagnosing stroke. Recognizing the warning signs associated with stroke early on can lead to timely intervention. This can increase the chances of positive outcomes and save lives while minimising the damage caused. The BEFAST acronym is one of the easiest and most effective ways of remembering the warning signs of stroke. This can help the individuals act FAST in seeking medical help by taking the stroke patient to a nearby stroke-ready Hospital.

Here are the warning signs of a stroke

B- Balance: If the person suddenly has trouble with balance or coordination, it can be a sign of a stroke.

E – Eyes: One has to watch the eye movements of someone with a stroke.  If the person is experiencing blurred or double vision or a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes then it can be due to a stroke.

F-Face: To know if someone is having signs of a stroke, quickly check if one side of their face is slightly numb or droopy. You can do this either by asking them to smile or showing their teeth. Stroke mostly occurs when the control over the facial muscles on the side of the face is impaired, making it difficult to make movements. This can usually happen when the blood flow to the tissues present in the brain is reduced.

A-Arm: If the individual cannot lift their arms or the arm starts to fall downwards, it can be a sign of stroke. Weakness in the arm can be an indication that stroke is negatively affecting that particular part of the brain which is responsible for controlling movements on that side of the body.  This can significantly affect their ability to perform day-to-day activities if the treatment is delayed.

S-Speech: Difficulty in speaking is another crucial sign of stroke that people tend to neglect. One should actively look for signs like slurred speech, difficulty in finding the right words, or unable to understand what the other person is saying. This is when the particular part of your brain which is accountable for language and communication gets affected due to stroke.

T-Time: If you observe any of these FAST warning signs then do not hesitate to call the ambulance right time. Time is precious when it comes to strokes. Acting fast can help save lives while increasing the chance of successful treatment outcomes. This not only minimizes the damage caused to the brain but also leads to speedy recovery.

Awareness and education is  crucial to prevent a stroke. The simple way to remember the stroke signs is BEFAST (Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, Time) as every minute counts.

Dr. Nirmal Surya

Guest Author Consulting Neurophysician and President of the ISA (Indian Stroke Association)