CVD and stroke

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Recognise stroke symptoms and act FAST to get help

Act FASTEvery year, around 110,000 people in England have a stroke. It’s the third leading cause of death and there are at least 300,000 people living in England with disabilities as a result of stroke.

Although they can occur in people of any age, strokes are especially likely to affect people over the age of 55. Prompt action after a stroke is crucial as it can prevent further damage to the brain and help make a full recovery. Delay can result in major long term disabilities.

This is why it is vital for as many people as possible to learn how to act FAST.

  • Face - has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
  • Arms - can they raise both arms and keep them there?
  • Speech - is their speech slurred?
  • Time - time to call 999 if you see any one of these signs.

Are you confident you can spot the signs of stroke? Take our interactive test online at www.nhs.uk/actfast now, and make sure you pass on the Act FAST message to friends and family.