NHS Launches New Act FAST Campaign to Raise Stroke Awareness

Strokes can strike without warning, and recognising the first signs is crucial for saving lives. Every five minutes, someone in the UK suffers a stroke, and it’s vital that everyone knows what to look out for. The NHS has launched its Act FAST campaign to raise awareness of the early warning signs of a stroke and to stress the importance of calling 999 immediately at the first sign of any symptoms.

Recognising the First Signs of a Stroke

The early signs of a stroke can be subtle and easy to miss. You might notice someone struggling to smile, a slight drop on one side of their face, or they might have difficulty raising one arm. Speech may become slurred or unclear, and these could all be warning signs of a stroke.

The message from the NHS is simple: Act FAST. Face, arms, and speech are the key signs to look out for. If you see any of these symptoms, don’t wait – call 999 immediately. Even if it doesn’t seem like much, it’s always an emergency.

What to Do: Time is Critical

Every minute counts when someone is having a stroke. The sooner medical professionals can intervene, the better the chance of reducing long-term damage and improving recovery outcomes. That’s why it’s so important to act quickly. If you notice any sign of a stroke, don’t hesitate to call 999.

The campaign’s core message is clear: Face, arm, or speech – at the first sign, call 999.

Symptoms to Look Out For:

The NHS encourages people to be aware of the following symptoms that could indicate someone is having a stroke:

• Face weakness – One side of the face may droop, and it might be hard to smile.
• Arm weakness – You may not be able to fully lift both arms or keep them raised because of weakness or numbness in one arm.
• Speech problems – Speech may become slurred, or the person may sound confused.

Other signs of a stroke may include:

• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body (including in the 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.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s essential to act fast and call 999 immediately. Even if the symptoms seem mild, they should never be ignored.

Dr Will Taylor, Chief Medical Officer of NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire said: “A stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK, so it’s crucial everyone is aware of the most common symptoms of a stroke and acts FAST by calling 999.

“The first sign of a stroke actually might not seem like much, but every minute is vital – getting quick access to specialist treatment can be lifesaving and can reduce long-term disability. Whether someone is unable to raise their arm, struggling to smile or slurring when they speak – any sign is always an emergency and you need to call 999 immediately.”

Public Awareness and the Importance of Acting Quickly

A recent survey highlighted some concerning facts about public knowledge of stroke symptoms. Many people mistakenly believe that you need more than one symptom to justify calling 999, when in reality, just one symptom can signal a medical emergency. In fact, over half of people (57%) think you need 2-3 symptoms before it’s necessary to call for help, despite the fact that even a single sign is a cause for concern.

The NHS is working hard to change these misconceptions and encourage people to take stroke symptoms seriously. The new Act FAST campaign aims to ensure everyone understands that any sign of a stroke is an emergency, even if it doesn’t seem severe.

Spreading the Word: How You Can Help

It’s important to share this message with friends, family, and colleagues. By raising awareness of the signs of a stroke, we can help people take action more quickly, saving lives and reducing the impact of strokes. Encourage others to Act FAST at the first sign of a stroke and remind them that every minute counts.

For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/ActFAST. The website offers more details on the signs of stroke, and also provides advice on how to contact 999, including options for British Sign Language (BSL) users and text relay services for those with hearing or communication difficulties.

It’s time to Act FAST. Recognise the signs, call 999, and help save lives.