World Stroke Day 2026 is observed every year on 29th October to raise awareness of stroke, its impact on individuals and families and the importance of prevention, early recognition and timely treatment.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted of when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Because the brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients, a stroke can cause brain cells to become damaged. The effects can be life-changing and may affect a person’s movement, speech, memory, vision and ability to carry out everyday activities.

There are two major types of stroke: ischaemic and haemorrhagic. An ischaemic stroke is when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, e.g. when a blood clot blocks a brain artery. A haemorrhagic stroke is when a blood vessel or artery in the brain bursts, and there is a leakage of blood into the brain. Both types of stroke share the same possible signs, symptoms and effects.

The most common signs and symptoms of stroke are:

• facial weakness
• arm weakness
• difficulty with speech.

Other symptoms of stroke that may occur include:

• weakness, numbness or paralysis of the face, arm, or leg on either or both sides of the body
• slurred speech or difficulty understanding
• loss of vision in one or both eyes
• sudden, severe headache or a change in pattern of headaches with no known cause
• loss of balance, dizziness.

The FAST test is a simple way to remember some of the most common signs:

F – Face: Has one side of the face dropped?

A – Arms: Can the person raise both arms, or is one arm weak or numb?

S – Speech: Is their speech slurred, confused or difficult to understand?

T – Time: If you notice any of these signs call 999 immediately

Recognising a stroke early doesn’t simply mean getting treatment sooner – it can give the Hospital team more treatment options and more time to use them effectively.

When someone arrives at the Hospital with a suspected stroke, specialist teams should carry out urgent assessments and brain imaging to determine what type of stroke has occurred. This is important because treatment for a clot-related stroke is very different treatment for a stroke caused by bleeding.

For some patients with an ischaemic stroke, doctors may be able to give a clot busting medicine called Thrombolysis within a specific time window. In suitable patients, specialist may also be able to perform a procedure called mechanical thrombectomy, using a catheter to remove a large clot from an artery in the brain.

These treatments are highly time dependant. The sooner the stroke is recognised and the patient reaches the right specialist care, the sooner the medical team can assess whether these treatments are appropriate.

Prevention

Although strokes can happen unexpectedly, many risk factors can be reduced. High blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol consumption can all increase the risk of stroke.

Life after stroke

Stroke affects people differently. Some people make a good recovery, while others may experience longer term physical, emotional and cognitive difficulties. Rehabilitation and support from healthcare professionals, family, friends, and the wider community can play an important role in recovery.

World Stroke Day gives us an opportunity to learn more about strokes and share that knowledge with others. Knowing the warning signs and understanding the importance of acting quickly could help save a life and reduce the impact of stroke.