How to recognise a stroke? Remember “FAST”
A stroke is a medical emergency caused by interrupted blood flow to the brain due to a blocked or ruptured blood vessel. Without blood and oxygen, brain cells can be damaged quickly. Early treatment can improve the chance of preserving brain function.
If stroke is suspected, remember FAST:
- Face: Is one side of the face drooping when smiling?
- Arms: Is one arm weak or drifting downward when both arms are raised?
- Speech: Is speech slurred, unclear, or difficult to understand?
- Time: If any of these signs appear, call 999 for an ambulance immediately.
Other warning signs include sudden loss of balance, severe dizziness, vision loss, numbness or weakness on one side of the body. Even if symptoms disappear within minutes, it may be a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and requires urgent medical assessment.
Should patients do nothing for recovery after a stroke?
No. Stroke rehabilitation should start as early as possible once the patient is medically stable. A personalised rehabilitation plan should address physical function, swallowing, communication, cognition and emotional needs.
The rehabilitation team may include doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, dietitians, clinical psychologists and social workers.
Rehabilitation may include:
- Improving muscle strength, balance, walking and transfer ability
- Practising daily activities such as dressing, bathing and cooking
- Managing speech, communication and swallowing difficulties
- Assessing memory and cognitive function
- Supporting patients and carers in emotional and daily life adjustment
What should be considered for diet and swallowing?
Some stroke patients may have swallowing difficulties, increasing the risk of choking, aspiration pneumonia, dehydration and malnutrition.
Before a swallowing assessment is completed, patients should not drink, eat or take oral medication by themselves. Food texture and fluid consistency should follow the advice of speech therapists and dietitians. Aspiration pneumonia and swallowing disorders are important post-stroke complications.
How to reduce the risk of another stroke?
Blood pressure control is important for stroke prevention. Quitting smoking, reducing salt intake, staying physically active, managing blood glucose and cholesterol, and taking antiplatelet, anticoagulant or other prescribed medications as directed by a doctor can help reduce risk.
Patients should not stop medication or change the dosage by themselves.
Reference:
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