Recognising the signs of a stroke and ensuring swift medical attention can be lifesaving, and significantly reduce the risk of long-term disability. In observance of World Stroke Day on 29 October.

Strokes don’t discriminate. They can affect people of every age, race, and gender at any time. For this reason, it is important to know which signs to look for and which steps to take — time can literally be the difference between life and death.

If you think someone may be having a stroke, remember the acronym BE FAST as an easy way to recall the main symptoms:

• Balance: Are they experiencing a loss of balance?
• Eyes: Are their eyes suddenly blurry?
• Face: Check if one side of their face is drooping. Ask the person to smile and see if it looks uneven.
• Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. See if one arm drifts downward or if they cannot lift one arm.
• Speech: Listen for slurred or odd speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence to check for clarity.
• Time: Get emergency medical attention if you see any of the signs mentioned above.

A person who is suffering a stroke may also experience sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body, including confusion, trouble seeing from one or both eyes, difficulty walking, dizziness, or a severe headache. Even if the symptoms pass quickly, they could still be a sign that something may be wrong.

Recognising stroke symptoms and acting swiftly is vital. Don’t hesitate. If you think someone is having a stroke, they need medical help straight away.

What happens when a stroke occurs:

“A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, usually by a clot or burst blood vessel. Every minute they’re starved of oxygen, millions of brain cells die. So, the faster a patient can get treatment, the greater their chance of surviving,” explains Ayesha Kriel, Head of Disease and Medicine Management at Afrocentric

Kriel advises that if you have medical aid, call for an ambulance immediately. If you’re not confident that an ambulance will get to your location fast enough,  try to find a way to get the patient to a hospital as quickly as possible. Your actions can save their life.