🧠 World Stroke Day – Recognising the Signs That Aren’t Always F.A.S.T.

peter284447
1 day ago
2 min read

Every year, World Stroke Day (29 October) reminds us how vital it is to understand, prevent, and respond quickly to strokes.

Around 1 in 4 adults will experience a stroke in their lifetime — yet many people still don’t recognise when one is happening, especially when it doesn’t follow the F.A.S.T. signs (Face, Arms, Speech, Time).

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When a Stroke Doesn’t Look “Typical”

Most awareness campaigns focus on:

👤 Face – drooping on one side
💪 Arms – weakness or numbness
🗣️ Speech – slurred or incoherent
⏰ Time – to call 999 immediately

These are crucial — but not the only signs of a stroke.

In my own experience, someone very close to me suffered a stroke that didn’t look like this at all.

There was no facial drooping or slurred speech. Instead, they became confused, forgetful, and disoriented — almost as if they’d suddenly lost track of where they were.

At first, it didn’t seem urgent. But within hours, it was clear something serious was happening. Thankfully, they received quick medical help and went on to recover with only a few after effects — but it showed me that not every stroke fits the textbook description, and every minute truly matters.