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Real emergency? Call 999 now. Do not wait to read further.

Quick guide · 2 min read

Stroke: Think FAST

Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech trouble: Time to call 999. Note the exact time symptoms started, keep them safe and comfortable, and give them nothing to eat or drink. Every minute matters for the brain.

The FAST test

  1. 1

    F. Face.

    Ask them to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

  2. 2

    A. Arms.

    Ask them to raise both arms. Does one drift down or fail to lift?

  3. 3

    S. Speech.

    Ask them to repeat a simple sentence. Slurred, jumbled, or no words at all?

  4. 4

    T. Time.

    Any one of those signs: call 999 now and note the exact time symptoms began. Hospital treatments for stroke are time-critical, and that timestamp changes what doctors can do.

While you wait

  • Keep them still, comfortable and reassured, sitting or lying with head and shoulders slightly raised
  • Nothing to eat or drink: swallowing is often affected
  • Unresponsive but breathing: recovery position. Not breathing normally: CPR
  • Symptoms that pass in minutes (a possible TIA or mini-stroke) still mean 999: it is often the warning of a full stroke

Do

  • Run FAST the moment something seems off
  • Write down the time symptoms started
  • Call 999 even if symptoms fade

Don't

  • Do not give food, drink or medication
  • Do not let them sleep it off
  • Do not drive them yourself unless told to by 999

Common questions

What does FAST stand for?

Face (does one side droop when they smile?), Arms (can they raise both?), Speech (is it slurred or confused?), Time (any sign: call 999 immediately and note when symptoms started).

What if the symptoms go away after a few minutes?

Call 999 anyway. Brief stroke-like symptoms can be a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), which is frequently the warning sign of a major stroke in the following hours or days.

Related skills

Primary Survey · DRABCCPR & DefibrillatorSecondary Assessment

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First Aid Guru guides support learning and refreshing your knowledge. They are not a substitute for regulated, hands-on first aid training or for professional medical advice. In an emergency call 999 (UK) and follow the call handler's instructions.