A stroke is a serious life-threatening medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off.
Strokes are a medical emergency and urgent treatment is essential.
The sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to happen.
If you suspect that you or someone else is having a stroke, phone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.
The main symptoms of a stroke can be remembered with the word F.A.S.T.:
- Face – the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped.
- Arms – the person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in one 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.
- Time – it's time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms
Local support
Community based rehabilitation and support services are available for stroke survivors and their carers in the East Riding and Hull, and an information pack has been produced to provide as much useful information as possible. Click here to read the Stroke Information Pack.
The NHS Website
Click here to read out more about the symptoms, causes and treatments available for strokes.
The Stroke Association
The recently updated My Stroke Guide from The Stroke Association gives people free access to trusted information about stroke and risk factors, alongside advice on prevention, as well as personal stories from stroke survivors.