People have ben urged to make themselves aware of the list of symptoms that could indicate a stroke, including some more uncommon signs that many may be unfamiliar with.
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off either by a blood clot or a burst blood vessel, and it can be life-threatening or lead to life-changing effects including brain damage and paralysis. Urgent treatment for a stroke is essential, as the sooner a person is treated, the less lasting damage they are likely to have from the condition.
The acronym FAST is often used to remember the four main symptoms of a stroke. This stands for: Face - which may have dropped on one side or around the mouth or eye; Arms - which may have gone weak or numb, resulting in the person not being able to lift them above their head and keep them there; Speech - which may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all; and Time - which means it's time to call 999 immediately if you spot any of these signs.
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While it's important to familiarise yourself with the FAST symptoms, they are not the only tell-tale signs of a stroke. As well as these main signs, Professor Martin Dennis, an expert in stroke medicine at the University of Edinburgh, told MailOnline that there are other key symptoms people should be aware of:
Sudden numbness on one side of the body
A stroke can cause complete paralysis on one side of the body, but can also lead to less obvious symptoms such as numbness or a loss of sensation affecting the hand, arm, leg or face. While this symptom can be caused by many different conditions, if it comes on suddenly and affects these areas at the same time it could be a sign of a stroke.
Sudden 'memory loss'
A stroke can cause confusion and difficulty understanding what others are saying, which may make it appear as though the person affected is suffering from memory problems. "Their reading and writing may be affected," Professor Dennis explained. "They may be described by lay peoples as being confused or having loss of memory because they cannot answer questions."
Similarly, Professor Dennis said that suddenly being left unable to do everyday tasks is a clear warning sign that someone needs to be taken to hospital. "Sometimes patients with stroke may suddenly be unable to use a TV control, or a household appliance, or be unable to wash, or dress for no apparent reason - sudden inability to be able to do things should not be ignored," he warned.
Loss of sight in one or both eyes
While weakness in the face is one of the most widely recognised signs of a stroke, the impact it can have on a person's vision is not as widely known. Loss of sight in one or both eyes, as well as sudden blurred or double vision, are symptoms that should not be ignored as they could indicate an impending stroke.
Sudden vertigo
Vertigo is the sensation that you or everything around you is spinning, and is a symptom that can be caused by a variety of conditions, with the most common including inner ear problems or migraines. However, if you experience vertigo accompanied by other symptoms such as vision or hearing loss, trouble speaking or weakness in the legs or arms, it could be a sign of a stroke.
Difficulty swallowing
Also called dysphagia, difficulty swallowing may be a sign of a stroke when coupled with other symptoms such as speech problems and weakness in the face muscles. Dysphagia may manifest in coughing or choking when eating or drinking, bringing food back up, or being able to chew food properly.
Professor Dennis explained: "Swallowing is a complicated task that needs your brain to coordinate many different muscles. If your stroke damages the parts of your brain that do this, then this will affect your ability to swallow." Dysphagia can also be a sign of other neurological conditions such as dementia, multiple sclerosis, and motor neurone disease.
A sudden, severe headache
One of the more uncommon symptoms of a stroke, a very severe headache that comes on suddenly could indicate bleeding on the surface of the brain, which is known as a subarachnoid haemorrhage. The NHS describes this as "resulting in a blinding pain unlike anything experienced before" and other symptoms can include a stiff neck, sensitivity to light and blurred or double vision.
Other symptoms to look out for
Other stroke symptoms mentioned by the NHS include feeling or being sick, dizziness, problems with balance or co-ordination, or loss of consciousness, though the health service notes that there may be other causes behind all of the symptoms listed. The symptoms of a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke, are the same but only tend to last between a few minutes and a few hours.
If you think that you or someone you're with is experiencing the signs of a stroke, call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance. The NHS advises that eating well, taking regular exercise, following alcohol advice and quitting smoking can help to significantly reduce your risk of having a stroke.
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