ACT FAST Campaign

ACT Fast is a campaign aimed at increasing awareness of strokes, highlighting the symptoms and importance of getting help quickly.

A stroke strikes every five minutes and there are around 100,000 stokes a year with 38,000 stroke-related deaths. Strokes are also a leading cause of disability.

The first sign of a stroke is often not seen as much of an issue, you may not be able to smile or raise your arm and you may slur when speaking. Even if it doesn’t seem like it, any sign of stroke is an immediate emergency. The symptoms can seem less painful, obvious and dramatic than expected.

Every minute counts and the quicker medical attention is received the better.

Main indications of a stroke

• Weakness in the face, it might be hard to smile and one side of your face can droop (fall)
• Weakness in the arm(s), you may struggle and/or be unable to lift both arms and keep them there due to weakness or numbness in one arm.
• Speech issues, you may slur when speaking or speak in a confused manner.
• You may also experience sudden weakness or numbness on one side of your body (including your leg), sudden loss of vision or blurred vision in one or both eyes, sudden difficulty speaking or thinking of words, sudden memory or confusion, experiencing a sudden, severe headache, sudden dizziness, unsteadiness or a fall, especially when coupled with other signs.

Who is at risk?

Anyone can have a stroke but, overall, the risk is greater if:

• You’re over 50 years old
• You’re from a Black or South Asian background. This is usually due to these groups having high blood pressure and higher diabetes rates.
• You have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or an irregular and fast heartbeat.
• It is important to monitor and treat these conditions to reduce the risk of you having a stroke. Lifestyle changes such as healthy diets and regular exercise can help to protect you against stroke.