Most people can recognise a heart attack but it is likely that many wouldn't recognise a stroke.  Recognising a stroke and acting fast whether it's for yourself, partner or a stranger in the street is crucial.  There is a time limit after someone has suffered a stroke - also known as a "brain attack",  which if passed means irreversible damage, long term health problems or death.  Get expert help immediately by dialling 999 in the UK.  Other countries use numbers like 911 or 117.  So if your abroad on holiday make a note of their emergency numbers just in case.

Recently a Dorset man collapsed and fell at home.  His wife recognised what had happened and called the emergency services on 999 immediately.  The ambulance had to travel at speed to their home in the Dorset countryside from Blandford town a distance of 11 miles of lanes.

The paramedics quickly took him to Dorchester County Hospital which is 20 miles away.  He was admitted into A & E and given a CT scan to check that it was not an internal bleed and was in fact a blood clot.  The scan confirmed that it was a clot and he was given a thrombolysis, clot-busting drugs.

Fortunately, this man's wife could tell medical staff the exact time of the stroke and with speedily action by ambulance staff and A & E medics he had treatment within the crucial three hour time limit, in fact just 24 minutes to the limit.  This is the first time this type of treatment has been used at this hospital.

Why this set time limit?  On average, nearly two million brain cells die for every minute that a stroke goes untreated.  Therefore the quicker action can be taken the more chance the patient has of not suffering long term effects or death.

The Dorset man has recovered well but still has some visual problems and gets tired quickly but staff and occupational therapists are optimistic that he will improve over the next three years.

Recognise a Stroke - Act FAST

• F - Facial weakness
• A - Arm weakness
• S - Speech problems
• T - Test all three symptoms

Other symptoms to look out for:

• weakness, numbness down one side.  Severe weakness in hand to complete paralysis of the body.
• facial weakness causing the person to drool saliva
• dizziness
• Problems with balance, coordination
• Difficulty talking and not understanding what others are saying.
• Severe headaches and loss of consciousness in severe cases.
• Difficulty swallowing.

For more information see the Stroke Association Website

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