NHS Stroke Awareness Campaign

• The first sign of a stroke might not seem like much. Like not being able to raise your arm, or struggling to smile, or slurring when you speak. Even if it doesn’t seem like it, any sign of a stroke is always an emergency
• Call 999 immediately when you notice any sign of a stroke
• Act FAST. Face or arm or speech, at the first sign, it’s time to call 999

Even if it doesn’t seem like it, any sign of stroke is always an emergency, so call 999 immediately if you or someone else experiences a single symptom. The first signs of a stroke include:

• Face weakness – it might be hard to smile, and one side of your face may droop (fall)
• Arm weakness – you may not be able to fully lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in one arm
• Speech problems – you may slur your words or sound confused

Other symptoms that could be the first sign you or someone else is having a stroke include:

• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of your body (including in your leg)
• Sudden loss of vision or blurred vision in one or both eyes
• Sudden difficulty speaking or thinking of words
• Sudden memory loss or confusion
• Sudden severe headache
• Sudden dizziness, unsteadiness or a sudden fall, especially with any of the other signs

Any sign of a stroke is always an emergency – at the first sign, call 999.
Act FAST. Face or arm or speech, at the first sign, it’s time to call 999.
Visit www.nhs.uk/ActFAST for more information.