FAST Thinking: Spotting a Stroke When Every Minute Matters

A 3-minute read on recognising strokes and why speed saves brains.

She was in the middle of presenting to the board when her words started slurring. At first, people thought she was nervous, but then the right side of her face began to droop. Someone in the room recognised what was happening and immediately called 999. That quick thinking probably saved her from permanent disability.

This scenario reminded me of countless domestic incidents during my 14 years as a police officer where family members noticed sudden changes in their loved ones. I remember one particular call where an elderly woman had noticed her husband's speech becoming slurred during their morning tea. The family thought he was just tired, but the signs were classic stroke symptoms. That experience, along with my 22 years in the Army where we learned to assess casualties quickly and accurately, taught me that stroke recognition is a skill that can literally save someone's brain – and their future quality of life.

Now, as founder of Typhon Training Solutions, I make sure every student understands that with strokes, every minute that passes means more brain damage.

The Brain Attack

After teaching first aid for Typhon Training Solutions for over over five years, I've learned that most people understand heart attacks but are fuzzy about strokes. Think of a stroke as a "brain attack" – either a blood vessel in the brain gets blocked (ischaemic stroke) or it bursts (haemorrhagic stroke). Either way, brain cells start dying within minutes.

Here's the crucial bit: unlike other medical emergencies where you might have time to think, with strokes, every minute that passes means more brain damage. The treatments that can reverse stroke damage are incredibly effective, but only if they're given within hours of the stroke starting.

FAST: Your Four-Step Lifesaver

In our HSE-approved First Aid at Work courses, I teach the FAST assessment. It's simple, memorable, and can help anyone recognise a stroke:

F - Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop? Is their smile uneven or lopsided? Can they raise both eyebrows equally?

A - Arms: Ask them to raise both arms and keep them up for 10 seconds. Does one arm drift downward? Can they lift both arms equally?

S - Speech: Ask them to repeat a simple phrase like "The early bird catches the worm." Is their speech slurred, garbled, or strange? Do they understand what you're saying?

T - Time: If you see any of these signs, it's time to call 999 immediately. Note the time when symptoms first appeared – this information is crucial for hospital treatment.

Beyond FAST: Other Warning Signs

While FAST catches most strokes, there are other symptoms to watch for. Sudden severe headache, especially if it's described as "the worst headache of my life." Sudden vision loss or double vision. Sudden dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination problems. Sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body.

The key word here is "sudden." These symptoms come on quickly, not gradually over days or weeks.

The Golden Hours

Here's why speed matters so much: there's a treatment called thrombolysis that can dissolve blood clots causing strokes, but it needs to be given within 4.5 hours of symptom onset. Some newer treatments can work up to 24 hours, but the sooner treatment starts, the better the outcome.

I've seen people make remarkable recoveries when they get to hospital quickly, and I've seen others with permanent disabilities because they "waited to see if it got better." Don't wait – call 999.

When It's Not Obvious

Not all strokes look like the dramatic collapses you see on TV. I've trained people who've dealt with colleagues having "mini-strokes" or TIAs (transient ischaemic attacks). The symptoms might last only a few minutes and then disappear completely.

Here's the thing about TIAs: they're warning shots. Someone who's had a TIA has a much higher risk of having a major stroke within the next few days or weeks. Even if symptoms have completely resolved, they need immediate medical assessment.

The Workplace Challenge

Strokes can happen anywhere, but workplace recognition can be tricky. Symptoms might be mistaken for tiredness, stress, or even intoxication. I remember training a construction foreman who later recognised that a worker he'd thought was "having a bad day" was actually showing early stroke symptoms.

Don't be embarrassed about calling 999 if you're not sure. Paramedics would rather assess someone who turns out to be fine than miss a stroke because someone was worried about causing a fuss.

What Not to Do

While you're waiting for the ambulance, don't give the person anything to eat or drink – their swallowing might be affected. Don't give them aspirin unless specifically told to by the 999 operator. Keep them comfortable and monitor their breathing and consciousness level.

If they become unconscious, be prepared to put them in the recovery position or start CPR if needed.

The Recovery Reality

Stroke recovery can be a long process, and workplace adjustments might be needed. But I've seen people make incredible recoveries, especially when they received quick treatment. The brain has an amazing ability to adapt and find new pathways around damaged areas.

Age Isn't Everything

While strokes are more common in older people, they can happen at any age. I've trained people who've dealt with stroke in colleagues in their 30s and 40s. Don't dismiss symptoms because someone is "too young" for a stroke.

Your Role in the Chain of Survival

You don't need to be a medical professional to save someone from stroke disability. You just need to recognise the signs and act quickly. In the chain of survival, you're the crucial first link.

Building Stroke Awareness

Every workplace should have people who can recognise stroke symptoms. It's not just about having a qualified first aider – it's about creating a culture where everyone knows the warning signs.

Want to ensure your team can spot strokes quickly? Contact Typhon Training Solutions.

Call me on 07939557029 or email mark.phillips@typhontrainingsolutions.co.uk to discuss stroke awareness training that could prevent permanent disability.

Because when it comes to strokes, fast thinking saves brains.

Mark Phillips delivers practical first aid training through Typhon Training Solutions, helping workplaces across the UK respond effectively to medical emergencies.