Know the Signs of a Stroke
Published on Sunday 1 June 2025
June is Stroke Awareness Month in Canada, a great time to learn how to spot the signs of a stroke and find out what you could do to save the life of someone you love. Time is everything during a stroke.
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is cut off. Brain cells die at a rate of 1.9 million per minute. The faster blood flow is restored, the higher the chances of survival and with minimal to no disability.
If you, or someone around you experiences any of these signs, call 9-1-1 FAST.
FAST is an easy and memorable way to remember the major signs of a stroke:
F Face, is it drooping?
A Arms, can you raise them?
S Speech, is it slurred or jumbled?
T Time to call 9-1-1 right away.
Don‘t drive yourself or the person having a stroke to the hospital – call an ambulance, they will get you to the hospital “faster” and are best equipped for stroke care.
Getting stroke treatments can reduce the severity of a stroke and even reverse some of its effects, but only if they are given as quickly as possible.
More signs of stroke
The FAST signs are the most common signs of a stroke and are more likely to be caused by a stroke than any other medical condition. There are some additional signs of a stroke that are less common. They include:
- vision changes – blurred or double vision
- sudden severe headache – usually accompanied by some of the other signs
- numbness – usually on one side of the body
- problems with balance
Stroke is a leading cause of death and adult disability in Canada. Currently over 878,000 people are living with the effects of stroke. A stroke happens approximately one in every five minutes.
While some risk factors for stroke and heart disease like smoking or physical inactivity can be changed or managed, others cannot. Things like age, gender, family history, and ancestry all play a role. For Black communities, as well as those of Indigenous and South Asian heritage, the risk is higher. That’s because conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes tend to show up earlier and more often.
That’s why it’s so important for you to know the signs of a stroke and to act FAST. Recognizing the symptoms early and getting help right away can save lives.
We can all beat stroke. Share the signs and help save lives.
For more information:
- Free mobile heart valve screening program (you can participate if you are 65 years or age and older with no known heart issues)
- Ottawa Public Health – Heart Disease and Stroke
- Heart and Stroke Foundation – FAST
- Call the City of Ottawa 3-1-1 for information on local support groups for those (or family of those) who had a stroke.
Samar Milan RD, MPH is a Public Health Nutritionist with Ottawa Public Health | Santé publique Ottawa
Article adapted with permission from the Heart & Stroke Foundation.