Brain & Spine Emergencies
Stroke Warning Signs: Recognise Them and Act FAST
Face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech? A stroke is time-critical. Learn BE FAST, call 112 and understand the two main types of stroke.
It is Sunday lunch at a family home in Sector 21, Faridabad. A 64-year-old grandfather, who takes tablets for blood pressure but often skips them, suddenly drops his spoon. His speech becomes slurred and one corner of his mouth droops. A relative suggests he lie down and see if it passes. That delay is the most dangerous choice the family could make. A stroke is a medical emergency in which brain cells begin to die within minutes. Recognising it quickly and reaching the right hospital fast can make a real difference to recovery.
Key takeaways
- Use BE FAST to recognise stroke: Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time.
- Call 112 immediately, even if symptoms go away; do not give food, water or aspirin.
- Only a brain scan can tell an ischaemic stroke from a haemorrhagic one.
- Neurosurgery mainly helps in haemorrhagic stroke and dangerous brain swelling after large strokes.
Recognise a stroke: BE FAST
- B – Balance: sudden loss of balance, dizziness or difficulty walking
- E – Eyes: sudden loss of vision or double vision
- F – Face: one side of the face drooping; ask the person to smile
- A – Arms: weakness or numbness in one arm or leg; ask them to raise both arms
- S – Speech: slurred or confused speech, or difficulty understanding
- T – Time: call 112 immediately and note when symptoms started, or when the person was last seen normal
A sudden, severe headache or sudden confusion can also be a sign of stroke.
When this is an emergency
Every suspected stroke is an emergency. Call 112 for an ambulance rather than waiting for a family doctor's appointment.
- Do not wait to see if symptoms improve
- Act even if symptoms disappear within minutes; this may be a 'mini-stroke' (TIA), a warning that a larger stroke may follow
- Do not give food, water or tablets, including aspirin, because swallowing may be affected and some strokes involve bleeding
- Go to a hospital with round-the-clock emergency care and CT or MRI scanning
Given city traffic, it helps to know in advance which nearby hospital provides emergency stroke care.
Two main types of stroke
Ischaemic stroke
This is the more common type. A clot blocks an artery and part of the brain is starved of blood and oxygen.
Haemorrhagic stroke
Here a blood vessel bursts. Bleeding into the brain tissue (intracerebral haemorrhage) is often linked to long-standing high blood pressure, while bleeding around the brain (subarachnoid haemorrhage) is frequently caused by a ruptured aneurysm.
The two types can look identical from the outside. Only an urgent brain scan can tell them apart, which is why scanning comes before any specific treatment.
How each type is treated
For ischaemic stroke, clot-dissolving medicine may be given if the patient reaches hospital within a limited window of hours, and selected patients with a large-artery blockage may have the clot removed through a catheter. These treatments are generally led by emergency, neurology and interventional teams, and the pathway is decided by the hospital's stroke team.
For haemorrhagic stroke, care focuses on controlling blood pressure, reversing blood thinners where needed, and close monitoring in intensive care. Some patients need surgery.
Where neurosurgery fits in
Neurosurgery's role is mainly in haemorrhagic stroke: removing a large blood clot that is pressing on the brain, placing a drain if fluid builds up (hydrocephalus), and treating the cause of bleeding such as an aneurysm. In a large ischaemic stroke, the brain can swell dangerously, called malignant oedema. In selected patients, a decompressive craniectomy, which temporarily removes part of the skull bone to give the swollen brain room, may be considered. Brain haemorrhage surgery, brain stroke surgery and cerebrovascular neurosurgery are among Dr. Naresh Panwar's listed areas; see brain haemorrhage treatment and cerebrovascular neurosurgery.
Lowering risk and recovering well
- Take blood pressure medicines regularly and check readings at home
- Control diabetes and cholesterol
- Stop smoking and all tobacco, and limit alcohol
- Get an irregular heartbeat checked and treated
- Stay active and keep a healthy weight
After a stroke, physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy support recovery, which varies widely and can continue for months. For follow-up questions about a brain haemorrhage or aneurysm, you can book a consultation at Sarvodaya Hospital, Sector 8, Faridabad. In an emergency, always call 112 first.
Frequently asked questions
Should I give aspirin if I think someone is having a stroke?
No. Some strokes are caused by bleeding, and aspirin could make them worse. Swallowing may also be unsafe. Call 112 and let the hospital decide treatment after a scan.
Lakwa ke lakshan chale gaye. Kya phir bhi hospital jaana zaroori hai?
Yes. Symptoms that disappear may be a mini-stroke (TIA), which can be a warning of a larger stroke. Urgent medical evaluation is needed the same day.
Do strokes happen only in elderly people?
No. Stroke risk rises with age, but it can occur in younger adults too, particularly with high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, heart rhythm problems or certain blood vessel conditions.
This article is general health information for patients and families. It is not a diagnosis. Please consult a qualified doctor about your own symptoms. See our medical disclaimer.
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Request a consultation with Dr. Naresh Panwar at Sarvodaya Hospital, Sector 8, Faridabad. Bring your MRI or CT scans and reports, and the care team will help you prepare.