Knowing the stroke symptoms can save a life, because a stroke is a medical emergency and every minute counts. The signs often come on suddenly and can be easy to explain away, especially when they fade after a few minutes. This guide covers the F.A.S.T. test, the other warning signs to look out for and what to do straight away. It also explains how Your Community Pharmacy in Newport can help you understand and lower your own risk.
Key Takeaways
- If you notice any sign of a stroke, call 000 straight away, however long it lasts.
- The F.A.S.T. test checks the face, arms and speech, and reminds you that time is critical.
- Signs that disappear within minutes may be a mini stroke and still need urgent care.
- High blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and atrial fibrillation are main risk factors to check.
The F.A.S.T. test for signs of a stroke
The Stroke Foundation uses the F.A.S.T. test as a quick way to check someone for the most common stroke symptoms:
- Face: check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
- Arms: can they lift both arms?
- Speech: is their speech slurred, and do they understand you?
- Time: time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call 000 straight away.
You do not need to see all of them. One sign is enough to call. Note the time the signs started if you can, and stay with the person until the ambulance arrives.
Other stroke warning signs
A stroke does not always show up as a drooping face or a weak arm. The Stroke Foundation lists these other signs, which can happen on their own or together:
- weakness, numbness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg on either or both sides of the body
- difficulty speaking or understanding
- dizziness, loss of balance or an unexplained fall
- loss of vision, or sudden blurring or decreased vision in one or both eyes
- a headache, usually severe and sudden, or an unexplained change in your usual headaches
- difficulty swallowing
These signs can be mistaken for tiredness, a migraine or simply feeling unwell. If they come on suddenly, treat them as an emergency rather than waiting to see whether they pass.
Want to know where you stand? Ask the pharmacist about a free stroke risk assessment.
When the symptoms of stroke go away: a mini stroke
Sometimes the signs disappear within a few minutes. This may be a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), often called a mini stroke. Because the person feels fine again, it is tempting to skip the ambulance. Do not: the Stroke Foundation advises calling 000 immediately whenever the signs of stroke appear, no matter how long they last.
After a TIA, follow the care plan from the hospital or your GP. If it includes new medicines, the pharmacist can go through them with you, and a medication review can help when you are juggling several at once. Our guide to preparing for a medication review explains what to bring.
Stroke risk factors you can check
The Stroke Foundation names four main stroke risk factors to check with a doctor or pharmacist: high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and atrial fibrillation or an irregular pulse. It also points to everyday lifestyle habits as part of lowering your risk.
Some of these are simple to keep an eye on. A free blood pressure check gives you a reading on the spot (see what a blood pressure check costs), and diabetes monitoring checks your blood glucose with a quick finger-prick test. If you are not sure how often to have your reading taken, see how often to check blood pressure, and for what a glucose number means, read about blood glucose test results.
A stroke risk assessment at Your Community Pharmacy
Your Community Pharmacy offers a free stroke risk assessment at Shop 3, 1 Kalinya St, Newport. It takes about 10 minutes and covers your blood pressure, your lifestyle risk factors and the F.A.S.T. warning signs, so you leave knowing what to watch for. Ask the pharmacist next time you are in store.
If you take several medicines each day, a Webster Pak can help you take the right ones at the right time, and support for weight management can help with the lifestyle side. Anything the pharmacist cannot sort out in store, they will point you to your GP for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do while waiting for the ambulance?
Stay with the person, keep them comfortable and note when the signs started, as the ambulance team will want to know. Follow any instructions the 000 call taker gives you.
Can a pharmacist tell me if I have had a stroke?
No. A suspected stroke needs emergency care, so call 000. The pharmacist can help afterwards with your medicines and with checks on risk factors such as blood pressure.
Does a normal blood pressure reading mean I am not at risk?
Not on its own. Blood pressure is one of several risk factors, along with diabetes, cholesterol, an irregular pulse, lifestyle. A health service check looks at the bigger picture.
Is the stroke risk assessment free?
Yes. It is free at Your Community Pharmacy, takes about 10 minutes and can be done during opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm.
Know the stroke symptoms and act fast
Stroke symptoms can be subtle, short-lived or easy to explain away, which is why the F.A.S.T. test is worth remembering: face, arms, speech and time. Any sign means calling 000, even if it passes. Between emergencies, keeping your blood pressure, blood glucose and medicines in check is the part you can work on with your pharmacist.
Call Your Community Pharmacy or drop in at Shop 3, 1 Kalinya St, Newport for a free stroke risk assessment.