Knowledge
The effects of stroke usually come on rapidly over minutes or hours and should be considered a medical emergency. Symptoms may worsen in the first few days due to a further stroke or due to medical complications. Medical treatment given within four and a half hours of onset of stroke can improve the outcome for some individuals.
Skills
To recognise when a person may be having a stroke, and call for immediate assistance-dial 999.
Benefits to the individual
Individuals will have early identification of stroke and will access medical treatment earlier, when it is most effective, thus having a greater chance of recovery.
Page last reviewed: 19 Mar 2021
