Why minutes matter
A stroke occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or a vessel bursts. Brain cells begin to die within minutes, which is why stroke is treated as one of the most time-sensitive emergencies in medicine. Treatments that can limit damage are available, but only within a narrow window from the time symptoms begin — and only if the patient reaches an appropriate facility in time.
The FAST check
Remember the word FAST. F — Face: ask the person to smile; does one side droop? A — Arms: ask them to raise both arms; does one drift down? S — Speech: is speech slurred or strange? T — Time: if any of these are present, call for emergency help immediately and note the time symptoms started. Other warning signs include sudden vision loss, sudden severe headache, sudden loss of balance, or sudden confusion.
What to do — and what not to do
Do call for emergency help or arrange immediate transport to the nearest emergency facility. Do note the exact time symptoms began — this determines which treatments are possible. Do not give food, water or medicines by mouth, as swallowing may be unsafe. Do not wait to see if symptoms improve; even symptoms that resolve on their own (a TIA or "mini-stroke") are a serious warning needing urgent evaluation.
Prevention after a stroke
After a stroke or TIA, the focus shifts to preventing the next one: controlling blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol, stopping tobacco, taking prescribed blood-thinning or other medicines without gaps, and attending follow-up. Most recurrent strokes are preventable with consistent risk-factor control.
The bottom line
Stroke is common, sudden and time-critical. Every family should know FAST. When in doubt, treat it as a stroke and seek emergency care — a false alarm costs nothing compared to the cost of delay.