What should you do if someone shows stroke symptoms? 

If you suspect someone is having a stroke, you must take immediate action by calling 999. A stroke is a critical medical emergency where the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, causing rapid and often irreversible damage to brain cells. In the medical world, time is brain is a foundational principle because every second delayed reduces the chances of a successful recovery. You should never wait to see if the symptoms pass or try to contact a GP first. The most effective treatments, such as clot busting medications, can only be administered within a very narrow timeframe after the symptoms begin. 

In a clinical setting, early intervention is the primary factor that determines whether a patient will walk out of the hospital or face lifelong disability. When you call for an ambulance, you trigger a high speed diagnostic pathway that prepares the hospital stroke team before the patient even arrives. Your role as a bystander or family member is to recognise the signs, seek emergency help instantly, and provide the medical team with the exact time the symptoms started. Taking these steps can quite literally be the difference between life and death. 

What we will discuss in this article 

• Using the FAST acronym to confirm stroke symptoms 

• Why calling 999 is superior to driving to the hospital 

• Critical steps to take while waiting for the ambulance 

• Why you must never give a stroke patient food, drink, or aspirin 

• How to monitor the person and keep them safe from injury 

• The importance of recording the symptom onset time 

• Emergency guidance for recognising less common stroke signs 

Recognise the signs using FAST 

The first and most important thing to do is confirm the symptoms using the FAST test. This simple tool is designed to help anyone identify a stroke quickly. 

The FAST check 

• Face: Look at the person face and ask them to smile. Has their face fallen on one side? Can they move their mouth properly? 

• Arms: Ask them to raise both arms and keep them there. Does one arm drift downward or feel weak? 

• Speech: Ask them to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred, or do they sound confused and unable to find the right words? 

• Time: If you see any one of these signs, it is time to call 999 immediately. 

Other warning signs to watch for 

While FAST covers the most common symptoms, you should also be alert for sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, sudden loss of vision or blurred vision, a sudden and intense headache unlike any they have had before, and sudden confusion or loss of balance. If any of these occur suddenly, treat it with the same level of urgency as a FAST positive result. 

Immediate actions while waiting for help 

Once you have called 999, there are several things you can do to help the person and prepare for the arrival of paramedics. 

Keep them safe and comfortable 

Encourage the person to lie down on their side with their head slightly raised and supported. This position helps maintain an open airway and prevents choking if they happen to vomit. If they are wearing tight clothing, such as a tie or a buttoned collar, gently loosen it to help their breathing. Stay with them and talk to them calmly to reduce their anxiety, as stress can further increase blood pressure. 

Record the onset time 

The most vital piece of information you can give the paramedics is the time the symptoms started. Many life saving hospital treatments, such as thrombolysis, have a strict four and a half hour window from the start of the stroke. If you did not see the stroke happen, try to determine the last time the person was known to be normal. Write this time down so you do not forget it during the stress of the emergency. 

Comparison: Do and Do Not for Stroke First Aid 

What to Do	What NOT to Do
Call 999 immediately	Do not wait for symptoms to improve
Note the exact onset time	Do not give them any food or water
Keep them calm and lying down	Do not give them aspirin or other meds
Stay with them until help arrives	Do not drive them to the hospital yourself
Prepare a list of their medications	Do not let them go back to sleep

Why you must avoid food and medication 

One of the most dangerous mistakes people make during a stroke is attempting to provide comfort through food, drink, or home medication. 

• Aspiration Risk: Strokes often cause sudden difficulty with swallowing. Giving a person water or food can lead to them inhaling the substance into their lungs, causing a life threatening condition called aspiration pneumonia. 

• The Aspirin Risk: Many people believe aspirin is the correct first aid for a stroke, but this is only true for ischaemic strokes. If the stroke is haemorrhagic, taking aspirin will thin the blood and significantly worsen the bleeding in the brain. Only a hospital CT scan can determine which type of stroke is occurring. 

To Summarise 

If someone shows stroke symptoms, your immediate priority is to call 999 and use the FAST test to confirm the signs. While waiting for the ambulance, keep the person lying on their side, loosen any tight clothing, and stay with them to keep them calm. Most importantly, record the exact time the symptoms began, as this information is essential for the medical team to decide on treatment. Never give the person anything to eat or drink, and do not provide aspirin, as these can cause further complications. Acting with speed and following these steps gives the person the best possible chance of survival and a successful recovery. 

Emergency guidance 

If you suspect a stroke, call 999 immediately. Do not call a GP, do not call 111, and do not drive to the hospital yourself. Paramedics can start the diagnostic process in the ambulance and ensure the stroke unit is ready for your arrival. If the symptoms disappear while you are waiting, do not cancel the ambulance. A temporary event is a serious warning that a major stroke may follow and still requires an emergency hospital assessment. 

Authority Snapshot 

This article was reviewed by Dr. Stefan Petrov, a physician with an MBBS and postgraduate certifications including Basic Life Support BLS, Advanced Cardiac Life Support ACLS, and the Medical Licensing Assessment PLAB 1 and 2. He has hands on experience in general medicine, surgery, anaesthesia, ophthalmology, and emergency care. Dr. Petrov has worked in both hospital wards and intensive care units, performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and has contributed to medical education by creating patient focused health content and teaching clinical skills to junior doctors within the NHS in 2026.