1. Using the FAST test involves asking these simple questions. Face: Check their face. Has their mouth drooped? Arms: Can they lift both arms? Speech: Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you? Time: Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call 000 straight away.
2. Think FAST, act FAST. A stroke is always a medical emergency. The longer a stroke remains untreated, the greater the chance of stroke-related brain damage.
3. Other signs of stroke. 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, sudden blurring or decreased vision in one or both eyes, headache (usually severe and abrupt onset or unexplained change in the pattern of headaches) and difficulty swallowing. National Stroke Week is an annual campaign, run this year from 8-14 August, by Australia’s Stroke Foundation.
