How thinking Fast could save a life

FAST, or Face-Arms-Speech-Time, is easy to remember and helps people recognise if someone else is having a stroke.

■ Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?

■ Arms – can they raise both arms and keep them there?

■ Speech – is their speech slurred?

■ Time – it is time to call 999 if you see any single one of these signs of a stroke.

There are also other symptoms that may occasionally be due to stroke. They include:

■ Sudden loss of vision or blurred vision in one or both eyes;

■ Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of your body (including your leg);

■ Sudden memory loss or confusion;

■ Sudden dizziness, unsteadiness or a sudden fall, especially with any of the other symptoms.

You can contact Irish Heart Foundation on freephone 1800 25 25 50.