World Stroke Day: Every Minute Counts - Act FAST!

Every year on October 29th, we commemorate World Stroke Day 2025. This year's theme, "Every Minute Counts," emphasises the importance of time, as acting quickly is the only way to save the victim, and even a second can determine the victim's fate. It can affect anyone, young or old, and often without warning. But the good news is that most strokes can be prevented and treated effectively if caught early (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
World Stroke Day is October 29

Go to source).

What is a stroke?

A stroke or a brain attack usually happens when there is any hindrance to the blood flow to the brain. Therefore, it's an emergency situation!

The human brain can survive without oxygen for only a few minutes before any permanent damage.

What Will Happen To Your Brain If There Is No Blood Supply?

Our brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients in order to function. That is where blood plays a vital role by transporting these requirements not only to the brain but to every part of the body. When there is a blockade to this transportation, the brain undergoes the following changes sequentially:

The brain begins to show symptoms in just 4 minutes!

• 0 minutes - Loss of oxygen
• 1-2 minutes - Brain damage may occur
• 5 minutes - Brain cells begin to die, and severe brain damage occurs
• 5-10 minutes - If oxygen supply is not restored, brain death can occur.

In just a few minutes, a person’s fate is decided, and in such emergencies, if you encounter a stroke victim, you have to act FAST!

When a Stroke occurs, Act FAST!

• Face drooping
• Arm weakness
• Speech difficulty
• Time to call for help

The first aid acronym FAST can be used to identify a stroke victim. These are simple confirmatory tests for the victims to confirm a stroke.

F.A.S.T Signs

F - Face

Look for these facial signs!

• Does the casualty experience any weakness of the face?
• Can they smile properly?
• Will they be able to stick out their tongue in a straight line?

When one has a stroke, blood circulation to various parts of the brain may cease. When the blood supply to the left side of the brain is impaired, the right side of the face is affected. In case the blood supply to the right hemisphere is obstructed, the left half of the face of the individual may droop or be twisted.

The frontal lobe is the region of the brain that controls the motor functions of voluntary muscles. When there is an attack on the frontal lobe, the individual might not be able to smile easily.

A - Arms

These instructions can help you identify arm weaknesses.

• Does the casualty raise up both arms simultaneously?
• Is either of their arms tingling or numb?
• Are they able to hold your fingers in each hand so firmly?

Blood flow to different parts of the brain may stop during a stroke. An individual may have trouble raising or controlling their right arm if there is a disruption in the blood supply to the left side of their brain. It could be challenging for the person to raise or move their left arm if there is a problem with the blood supply to the right side of their brain.

The area of the brain responsible for voluntary muscle control is known as motor control of voluntary muscles. When a stroke affects the frontal lobe, the person may not be able to raise both arms, or the raised arm may drop after being raised.

S - Speech

• Do they have a problem with speaking or pronouncing their words?
• Ask them to greet you and say their name.

In a stroke, the blood supply to various areas of the brain will cease. The section of the brain that helps in understanding the speech and expression of thoughts is the parietal lobe. In case some blood reaches the parietal lobe and is blocked in a stroke, an individual may experience difficulty in speaking.

T - Time

If you can see any of these signs, spare no time and call for help! Try to inform the paramedics regarding the details like

• The timing of when the victim lost consciousness
• How long have they been showing these signs?

These are some crucial facts to be aware of since they may influence the treatment they receive.

The average number of brain cells that die per minute if a stroke is left untreated is 1.9 million. Timely care results in increased rates of survival and reduced levels of disability.

The Global Stroke Reality Check

Stroke is a global health crisis – and it’s growing. As the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) report (2021) and data of the World Stroke Organisation (WSO) represent:

• Nearly 12 million new strokes occur each year worldwide.
• Over 7 million individuals die due to stroke every year.
• More than 90 million individuals are surviving with stroke’s after-effects.
• Every 1 out of every 4 adults aged above 25 years will suffer a stroke in his or her lifetime.
• Low- and middle-income countries such as India have a majority (almost 90%) of strokes and stroke mortality (2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
  World Stroke Organization: Global Stroke Fact Sheet 2025
  
  Go to source).

Stroke is not just a condition that affects elderly people. One stroke out of every seven happens to a person under 50. Younger people are more likely to have strokes as lifestyle risks like poor diet, air pollution, and inactivity rise. But the good news is that almost 84% of strokes can be prevented!

Most strokes are caused by risk factors that you can modify, things you are aware of and can change with minor lifestyle changes.

By learning to recognise the signs, managing our health, and supporting awareness in our communities, we can rewrite the story of stroke. Together, let’s turn fear into action, delay into diagnosis, and statistics into survival.

References:

1. World Stroke Day is October 29 - (https://www.stroke.org/en/about-the-american-stroke-association/world-stroke-day)
2. World Stroke Organization: Global Stroke Fact Sheet 2025 - (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11786524/)

Source-Medindia