Neurologist shares key signs of a stroke and the FAST test

Medical experts are urging people to learn the early warning signs of a stroke, which can happen suddenly and require immediate emergency care. Recognising these signs quickly can greatly improve a person's chances of recovery.

The FAST Test

Dr S K Jaiswal, a neurology expert at CARE Hospitals in Hyderabad, explains that the FAST approach is a simple way to spot common stroke symptoms. For the face, ask the person to smile to check if one side droops or looks uneven. For the arm, ask them to raise both arms to see if one drifts downward or feels weak. For speech, ask them to repeat a simple sentence to check for slurred or unclear words. The final letter stands for time, meaning anyone who shows these sudden signs needs emergency medical help right away, and you should note when the symptoms first started.

Other Warning Signs

A person does not need to show all three FAST symptoms to be having a stroke. Other signs include sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, sudden vision trouble in one or both eyes, loss of balance, or a severe headache with no clear cause. These signs should never be blamed on tiredness, dehydration, or ageing without a proper medical check.

What To Do

If you think someone is having a stroke, call emergency services and get them to a hospital that treats stroke patients. Do not give the person food, water, or medicine like aspirin, because a stroke can make it hard to swallow safely and aspirin can worsen bleeding in the brain. Even if symptoms go away after a few minutes, you must still seek urgent medical evaluation.

Prevention and Risk

While stroke risk increases with age, it can affect people of all ages. High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart conditions, smoking, heavy drinking, lack of exercise, and obesity all raise the risk. Regular health check-ups and a healthy lifestyle can help reduce this risk.

Context

A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, which deprives brain tissue of oxygen. Because brain cells die very quickly without oxygen, medical professionals always treat a suspected stroke as a critical medical emergency.