A stroke strikes every 5 minutes in the UK. There are around 38,000 stroke-related deaths every year and it is a leading cause of disability.  We are supporting the "NHS Face, Arms, Speech and Time (FAST)" campaign to encourage people to Act FAST, at any sign of a stroke, as every minute is vital to give patients quicker access to specialist treatment that could save their life and reduce the long-term effects of a stroke, such as a disability. 

The first sign of a stroke might not seem serious. Like struggling to smile, not being able to raise your arm or slurring when you speak.  Stroke symptoms can be less dramatic, painful or obvious than might be expected, but even if doesn’t seem like much, at the first sign of a stroke, call 999 straight away.