World Stroke Day: Know the signs to Act FAST

28 October 2025

Wednesday 29th October is World Stroke Day and the team at the Stroke Rehabilitation Centre at University Hospital Llandough are urging people to know the signs of a stroke so they can Act F.A.S.T. 

If you see one of these signs of a stroke don’t delay – call 999. 

• Face: has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile? 
• Arms: can they raise both arms and keep them there? 
• Speech: is their speech slurred? 
• Time: even if you’re not sure, call 999. 

There are currently around 9,000 people, 1.74% of the population, living in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan who have had a stroke. 

Every minute matters with a stroke. Receiving emergency care quickly can improve the chance of survival and enable treatments that improve the chances of a full recovery. 

A stroke is a ‘brain attack’, caused by a disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. It’s a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Recognising the signs of stroke and calling 999 for an ambulance is crucial. The sooner somebody who is having a stroke gets urgent medical attention, the better their chances of a good recovery. 

The F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) acronym provides a memorable way of identifying the most common signs of a stroke and emphasises the importance of acting quickly by calling 999. 
 
Photo: Caroline, Jane, Ben and Livinus from the Stroke Rehabilitation Centre