Recognising a stroke and taking action

In short: In a stroke, part of the brain suddenly stops receiving enough blood. Every minute counts: if you suspect a stroke, call 112 (the emergency number in Germany and the EU) immediately.

In more detail: Usually a blood clot blocks a vessel in the brain; less often a vessel bursts. The sooner treatment starts in a specialised hospital, the more brain tissue can be saved.

In detail

• The FAST test: A simple memory aid: Face, Arms, Speech, Time.
• Face: Ask the person to smile; if one corner of the mouth droops, that is a warning sign.
• Arms: Ask them to stretch both arms forward with the palms facing up; if one arm sinks or cannot be raised, that is suspicious.
• Speech: Ask them to repeat a simple sentence; slurred speech, difficulty finding words or not understanding are alarm signs.
• Time: Even if only one sign is present, dial 112 at once and say the word stroke (notruf-richtig-absetzen).
• Other signs: Sudden problems with vision, dizziness with unsteady walking, numbness on one side of the body or a sudden, very severe headache.
• Until the ambulance arrives: Reassure the person, do not leave them alone, do not let them eat or drink, and note when the symptoms began.
• Unconsciousness: If the person is breathing normally, place them in the recovery position; if they are not breathing normally, start resuscitation (wiederbelebung-und-defibrillator-grundlagen).
• Even if it passes: If the signs disappear after a short time, this can be a warning of a stroke to come; the person still needs to be examined by a doctor straight away, and a first-aid course helps you act correctly in an emergency (erste-hilfe-grundlagen).