This campaign highlights the theme ‘transient ischemic attacks’ (TIA) or mini-stroke.
Every year at least 46,000 people in the UK have a TIA for the first time and although the symptoms may not last long, a TIA is still very serious and a sign that a person is at risk of going on to have a stroke.
A TIA is often called a warning stroke, yet too many people are unaware of the link between TIA and stroke and are not getting the services and support they need.
The main signs and symptoms of a TIA can be identified by remembering the word FAST, which stands for Face-Arms-Speech-Time.
Face – the face may have fallen on one side, the person may be unable to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped
Arms – the person may not be able to raise both their arms and keep them there due to weakness or numbness in their arms
Speech – the person may have slurred speech
Time – if any of these signs or symptoms are present, it is time to dial 999 immediately