--- title: "Stroke: Symptoms, Causes & NHS Treatment | HealthAnswers" description: "How to recognise a stroke — FAST warning signs, what to do in an emergency, and recovery after a stroke." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/stroke/ robots: noindex --- # Stroke: Symptoms, Causes & NHS Treatment | HealthAnswers Health A–Z How to recognise a stroke — FAST warning signs, what to do in an emergency, and recovery after a stroke. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What is stroke? A stroke happens when blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. It is a medical emergency — call 999 immediately if someone's face droops on one side, they cannot raise both arms, or their speech is slurred or strange. Fast treatment saves lives and reduces long-term disability. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Stroke, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 7 sections ## Key facts about stroke - Stroke affects more than 100,000 people a year in the UK. - The FAST test helps recognise stroke — Face, Arms, Speech, Time to call 999. - Every minute counts — emergency treatment can restore blood flow to the brain. - High blood pressure is the biggest modifiable risk factor. - Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) — "mini-stroke" — also needs urgent assessment. ## Stroke is a medical emergency A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted, causing brain cells to die within minutes. It is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the UK, but **fast recognition and treatment** dramatically improve outcomes. If you suspect a stroke, call **999 immediately** — do not drive the person to hospital yourself unless told to. ## Recognise stroke — the FAST test Use **FAST** to check for the most common signs: **F — Face.** Has their face dropped on one side? Can they smile? One side of the mouth may droop. **A — Arms.** Can they raise both arms and keep them there? One arm may drift downward. **S — Speech.** Is their speech slurred or garbled? Can they repeat a simple sentence? **T — Time.** If you see any of these signs, **call 999 immediately**. Note when symptoms started — this helps treatment decisions. Other stroke symptoms can include sudden weakness or numbness on one side, confusion, vision loss in one or both eyes, severe headache, and loss of balance. ## Types of stroke **Ischaemic stroke** — about 85% of strokes. A blood clot blocks an artery to the brain. Emergency clot-busting treatment (thrombolysis) or mechanical clot retrieval may be possible within hours of onset. **Haemorrhagic stroke** — a blood vessel bursts in or around the brain. Less common but often more severe. Treatment focuses on controlling bleeding and reducing pressure. **TIA (transient ischaemic attack)** — sometimes called a mini-stroke. Symptoms are like a stroke but resolve within 24 hours. A TIA is a **warning sign** — urgent assessment and treatment prevent a full stroke. ## What to do while waiting for an ambulance - Call 999 — say you suspect a stroke - Note the time symptoms started - Keep the person comfortable, sitting or lying with head slightly raised if breathless - Do not give food or drink — swallowing may be affected - If they are unconscious but breathing, place in the recovery position - Loosen tight clothing Do not wait to see if symptoms improve before calling. ## Recovery after stroke Recovery varies widely. Some people recover fully; others have lasting effects on movement, speech, memory or mood. Early rehabilitation — physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy — is crucial. Stroke services and charities such as the Stroke Association provide long-term support. ## Reducing your risk The biggest modifiable risk factor is **high blood pressure**. Other important steps: - take prescribed medicines — including anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation - stop smoking - maintain a healthy weight and diet - exercise regularly - limit alcohol - manage diabetes and high cholesterol NHS Health Checks from age 40 (in England) assess cardiovascular risk including stroke. ## Stroke vs other conditions **Migraine** can cause one-sided weakness or speech disturbance (hemiplegic migraine) but develops differently from stroke. When in doubt, treat as stroke and call 999. Sudden severe **chest pain** with stroke symptoms may indicate a heart problem — still call 999. ## ! When to see a GP about stroke Call **999 immediately** if you suspect a stroke — do not wait to see if symptoms improve. Even if symptoms pass within minutes (possible TIA), call 999 the same day because a full stroke may follow. See a GP for a TIA or if you have risk factors such as high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, diabetes or smoking — prevention reduces future stroke risk. ## Common questions about stroke What is the FAST test for stroke? Face — has their face dropped on one side? Arms — can they raise both arms and keep them there? Speech — is their speech slurred or garbled? Time — if you see any of these, call 999 immediately. What causes a stroke? Most strokes are ischaemic — a blood clot blocks an artery to the brain. Haemorrhagic strokes happen when a blood vessel bursts. Risk factors include high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol and age. What is a TIA (mini-stroke)? A transient ischaemic attack causes stroke-like symptoms that resolve within 24 hours, often within minutes. It is a warning sign — about 1 in 3 people who have a TIA go on to have a full stroke if not treated. Always seek emergency assessment. Can stroke be treated? Yes, if reached quickly. Clot-busting drugs (thrombolysis) and mechanical clot removal can restore blood flow in ischaemic stroke if given within hours. Rehabilitation — physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy — supports recovery over months. How can I reduce my stroke risk? Control blood pressure, take anticoagulants if prescribed for atrial fibrillation, stop smoking, eat healthily, exercise regularly, limit alcohol, and manage diabetes and high cholesterol. NHS Health Checks help identify risk early. ## Sources - [NHS — Stroke](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stroke/) - [Stroke Association — FAST](https://www.stroke.org.uk/stroke/symptoms)