Recognise a stroke - Strokes are the third largest killer and the major cause of adult disability, yet one in three people cannot recognise the early signs of a stroke. A leading cause is high blood pressure caused by a poor diet and lifestyle, with factors such as smoking, stress and a lack of exercise.
The first sign that someone has had a stroke are often very sudden.
Symptoms include:
- Numbness, weakness or paralysis on one side of the body. Signs of this may be a drooping arm, leg or lower eyelid, or a dribbling mouth.
- Slurred speech or difficulty finding words or understanding speech.
- Sudden blurred vision or loss of sight.
- Confusion or unsteadiness.
- A severe headache.
This article describes what you can do to help recovery.