Stroke Emergency Guide – Recognise, React, and Act FAST
This guide tells you exactly what to do — and what not to do — in the first minutes of a suspected stroke. Scan it. Save it. Share it with your family before you ever need it.
⏱ Every minute matters. Approximately 1.9 million brain cells are lost every minute a stroke goes untreated. The faster a patient reaches a stroke-ready hospital, the more brain can be saved.
Medically reviewed by: Dr Ganesh Veerabhadraiah, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon, NeuroWellness Bengaluru | Last reviewed: January 2026
What is a Stroke? The 30-Second Answer
A stroke — also called a brain attack — occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is suddenly cut off. Without blood, brain cells begin to die within minutes. A stroke is a medical emergency. Unlike a heart attack, it is often silent and painless — the only warning signs are changes in face, arm, or speech.
There are two types: ischemic stroke (a clot blocks blood flow — 80–85% of strokes) and hemorrhagic stroke (a blood vessel ruptures). Both are emergencies requiring immediate hospital care.
The most important thing you can do right now is learn the FAST signs below and know your nearest stroke-ready hospital in Bengaluru.
The FAST Method – How to Recognise a Stroke Right Now
The FAST acronym is the globally recognised, medically validated method to identify stroke symptoms quickly. You do not need medical training to use it. Check all four signs in under 60 seconds.
🔴 F · A · S · T — Check These Signs Now
Ask the person to do each of the following. If they fail any one — treat it as a stroke emergency immediately.
F
Does one side droop or feel numb?
A
Does one drift downward?
S
Is speech slurred or confused?
T
✅ If ANY FAST sign is present — even mildly — call 108 and go to the nearest stroke-ready hospital NOW
Also Watch For — The BE-FAST Expanded Method
B
E
BE-FAST detects an additional 14% of strokes missed by the standard FAST method, particularly posterior circulation strokes.
Stroke symptoms can affect any combination of these signs. They appear suddenly and without warning. Even if symptoms seem mild or come and go, do not wait — seek emergency care immediately.
Note the Time of Onset – This Information Saves Lives
One of the most critical pieces of information in stroke care is deceptively simple: “When were they last seen completely normal?”
The treatments available to a stroke patient — and the chance of survival and recovery — depend almost entirely on how much time has passed since symptoms began. The emergency team needs this information the moment you arrive.
⏱ Write Down or Remember Right Now:
Two pieces of information the emergency team must know
The exact time symptoms first appeared
Thrombolysis window
Within 4.5 hrs
Clot-dissolving injection for ischemic stroke
Thrombectomy window
Within 6–24 hrs
Clot removal for large vessel blockage
Even a difference of 15–30 minutes can determine whether a patient qualifies for clot-dissolving treatment. This is why noting the time is not a formality — it is part of the treatment itself.
If the person was found unconscious or woke up with symptoms and the exact time is unknown, tell the team the last time they were seen well — for example, “She was fine at 10pm; we found her like this at 6am.”
What to Do During a Stroke – Step by Step
Follow these steps in order. Stay calm. Every action below is designed to maximise the time available for treatment.
Check the FAST signs and confirm the emergency
Check face, arm, and speech. If any one sign is present — even mildly — proceed immediately. Do not wait for more symptoms to appear.
Note the exact time symptoms began
Write it down on your phone or a piece of paper right now. If unsure, write down the last time the person was completely normal. This is critical for treatment eligibility.
Call 108 (ambulance) immediately
Call the national ambulance service — 108 — immediately. Tell the operator you suspect a stroke. Provide the patient's location and the time symptoms began. The operator will guide you.
Keep the person safe, still, and calm
Help them sit or lie down safely. If conscious, position them on their side with head slightly raised in case of vomiting. Loosen any tight clothing around the neck. Keep them warm and still. Talk to them calmly.
Do not give food, water, or medication
Stroke can impair swallowing — even a sip of water can enter the lungs. Do not give any medication unless the emergency operator specifically instructs you to.
Go directly to a stroke-ready hospital
Proceed to a hospital that has CT scan availability, a stroke treatment team, and emergency capability. Do not stop at smaller clinics first — this loses precious time. See our verified list for Bengaluru below.
How to Position the Patient
If the person is conscious: Help them lie on their side (recovery position) with head gently elevated using a pillow or folded clothing. This prevents choking if they vomit. If they are unconscious and not breathing: Begin CPR chest compressions immediately and do not stop until emergency services arrive. Call 108 while doing this.
What NOT to Do During a Suspected Stroke
In a stroke emergency, the wrong action can be as dangerous as no action at all. These are the most common mistakes that delay treatment and worsen outcomes.
❌ Do NOT Do Any of These
Every one of these actions loses time — and time is brain.
Wait to see if symptoms improve
Even TIA symptoms are an emergency. Waiting costs brain cells.
Give food, water, or any medication
Stroke impairs swallowing. Aspiration is a serious risk.
Allow the person to "sleep it off"
This wastes the treatment window and masks deterioration.
Attempt home remedies
No home remedy can dissolve a brain clot or stop brain bleeding.
Visit multiple smaller clinics first
Go directly to a hospital with stroke treatment capability.
Dismiss mild or brief symptoms
A TIA (mini-stroke) is the highest-risk warning sign for a major stroke.
Referring a Stroke Patient?
Use our structured digital triage form to coordinate transfer to a specialist.
When to Shift to a Stroke-Ready Hospital in Bengaluru
Go to the nearest stroke-ready hospital immediately — without delay — if any of the following occur:
Any FAST sign — face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty
Sudden severe headache — especially described as the worst ever
Sudden vision loss or blurring in one or both eyes
Sudden confusion or difficulty understanding speech
Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body
Sudden loss of balance, coordination, or ability to walk
Even if symptoms improve or disappear — seek emergency evaluation immediately. This could be a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). The risk of a full stroke is highest in the 24–48 hours after a TIA.
🏥 What is a Stroke-Ready Hospital?
A stroke-ready hospital has the minimum infrastructure needed to diagnose and treat stroke immediately. This includes:
• 24-hour CT scan availability — to determine type of stroke within minutes
• Emergency stroke evaluation team — neurologist on call
• Thrombolysis capability — clot-dissolving medication administered IV
• ICU or stroke unit — for monitoring after treatment
Do not waste time at a clinic, diagnostic centre, or hospital without these facilities. Go directly to a verified stroke-ready hospital. → View verified stroke-ready hospitals in Bengaluru
Emergency Contacts – Bengaluru
Save these numbers on your phone right now. Do not search for them during an emergency.
🚑
108
Free emergency ambulance — Karnataka
🧠
7259669911
Stroke referral coordination — South Bengaluru
💬
Triage Support
For referral coordination — not emergency response
⚠️ Important: For a life-threatening stroke emergency, call 108 or 112 and proceed to the nearest hospital immediately. Do not wait for an online or WhatsApp response. NeuroWellness coordination support is for referral assistance — not 24/7 emergency monitoring.
📄 Download & Share This Emergency Guide
Save this guide as a PDF on your phone. Share it with your family, your parents, your colleagues — before you ever need it. A few seconds now could save a life later.
PDF is optimised for mobile. No login required. Free for all Bengaluru families.
Stroke Emergency FAQs – Bengaluru
Answers to the most common questions asked by families and bystanders — written for quick reading during or before an emergency.
FAST stands for: F — Face drooping (one side droops or is numb when asked to smile), A — Arm weakness (one arm drifts down when both are raised), S — Speech difficulty (slurred, confused, or unable to speak), T — Time to act immediately. Also watch for sudden balance loss (B) and sudden vision changes (E) — the BE-FAST method. If any sign appears, go to a stroke-ready hospital in Bengaluru immediately.
Do not wait for symptoms to improve. Do not give food, water, or medication. Do not let the person sleep it off. Do not attempt home remedies. Do not stop at multiple smaller clinics. Go directly to a stroke-ready hospital. Every minute of delay permanently destroys brain cells that cannot be recovered.
The time of onset determines which treatments are available. Thrombolysis (clot-dissolving injection) is given within 4.5 hours. Mechanical thrombectomy can be performed within 6–24 hours in selected patients. Even a 15-minute difference can change whether a patient qualifies for treatment. Note the exact time symptoms started — or the last time they were seen completely normal — and tell the emergency team immediately.
Go immediately if any FAST sign appears — face drooping, arm weakness, or speech difficulty. Also go for sudden severe headache, sudden vision loss, sudden confusion, or sudden weakness on one side. Even if symptoms resolve within minutes (possible TIA), seek emergency evaluation without delay. The risk of a full stroke is highest in the 48 hours after a TIA.
BE-FAST expands the FAST method by adding B — Balance (sudden loss of balance or coordination) and E — Eyes (sudden vision loss or blurring). These additions help identify strokes in the back of the brain (posterior circulation) which may not cause the classic face, arm, or speech symptoms. BE-FAST detects approximately 14% more strokes than FAST alone.
Call 108 — the free national ambulance service in Karnataka — immediately. You can also call 112 (national emergency number). Tell the operator you suspect a stroke and provide the patient’s symptoms, location, and the time symptoms began. If no ambulance is available, have someone drive directly to a stroke-ready hospital — the patient should not drive themselves.
If a 108 ambulance can reach you quickly, call it — the team can begin assessment en route and alert the hospital so the stroke team is ready on arrival. If an ambulance will take significantly longer, have someone else drive directly to the nearest stroke-ready hospital. The patient must not drive themselves. Do not stop at multiple clinics.
A TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack), or mini-stroke, causes stroke symptoms that resolve within minutes to a few hours. Even though symptoms disappear, a TIA is a medical emergency — the risk of a full stroke is highest in the 24–48 hours after a TIA. Do not dismiss symptoms that resolve on their own. Seek immediate neurological evaluation. Treatment after a TIA can prevent the major stroke that often follows.
If conscious, help them lie on their side (recovery position) with their head slightly raised and supported. This reduces the risk of choking if they vomit. Loosen any tight clothing around the neck. Keep them calm, still, and warm. Do not give food or water. If unconscious and not breathing, begin CPR and call 108 immediately.
Yes. Download the NeuroWellness Stroke Emergency Guide PDF for free using the button on this page. Save it on your phone and share it on WhatsApp with your family. Having it ready before an emergency means no time is lost searching for information in a crisis. The PDF includes FAST signs, emergency contacts, and what NOT to do.
Looking for Stroke Treatment Information?
Use our structured digital triage form to coordinate transfer to a specialist.Explore the Stroke Network
Everything you need — from emergency guidance to hospital listings and patient referral — is structured and accessible here.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer – Please Read
● The information on this page is for educational and general guidance purposes. It does not constitute medical advice. Always seek immediate in-person medical care during a stroke emergency.