Stroke

A cerebral vascular accident - CVA It occurs when there is a sudden disruption to the blood supply of the brain, by a clot or a bleed.

Stroke - disruption of blood supply to any part of the brain

Clot being the most common and bleeding the least common. Recognise by FAST:

• F - Face
• A - Arms
• S - Speech
• T - Time - To call 999/112

FACE - the face may appear to droop on one side slightly, but this may not be readily obvious until you ask them to smile, it is then obvious that one side is not responding.

ARMS - asking the casualty to lift both arms it will demonstrate that one is much weaker or even not responding at all. Alternately lift both arms a little for the casualty and ask them to keep them in place when you let go.

SPEECH - may be slurred, or they may have difficulty finding the right words to say so that sentences may not make sense, sometimes no words are spoken.

TIME - recognising any of the above signs means it is time to dial 999/112

The immediate First Aid treatment for the conscious casualty is to lay down safely with head and shoulders supported upon a pillow.