Think FAST
Face: ask the person to smile and look for drooping. Arms: ask them to raise both arms and check for weakness. Speech: listen for slurred or unusual speech. Time: call emergency services immediately if any of these signs appear.
Other warning signs
Sudden loss of vision, difficulty walking, imbalance or a sudden severe headache can also be warning signs. Symptoms that disappear can still indicate a transient ischaemic attack and need urgent assessment.
Act immediately
In India, call 112. Note when the person was last well. Do not wait for symptoms to improve or for a clinic appointment. Avoid giving food, drinks or medicines unless the emergency team instructs you to.
Further reading
Patient information from the NHS. This is an educational reference, not evidence of a completed clinical review of this article.
This information is educational and does not replace individual medical advice. Educational content is awaiting clinical review; it has not been marked as medically reviewed. For a medical emergency in India, call 112.
