Stroke?
Recognise. React.
Save a Brain.
A stroke is a brain attack. Every second of delay means more brain lost — forever. This guide tells you exactly what to spot, what to do, and who to call — in under 60 seconds.
1.9 Million
Brain cells die every single minute a stroke goes untreated
Globally Recognised Method
The BE-FAST Method — Spot a Stroke in 60 Seconds
No medical training needed. Check all 6 signs in under a minute. If ANY one is present act immediately. BE-FAST detects 14% more strokes than FAST alone.
BE-FAST
BE-FAST is the complete stroke recognition system used by neurologists and emergency teams worldwide. The original FAST test misses some strokes affecting the back of the brain (posterior circulation). BE-FAST closes that gap — adding Balance and Eyes checks that identify strokes FAST alone would miss.
First Check
FACE Drooping
Is one side of the face drooping or numb? Does their smile look uneven or lopsided? Even a slight droop on one side is a warning sign.
Second Check
ARM Weakness
Does one arm drift downward when raised? Is one arm weak, numb, or cannot be raised at all? Even subtle weakness is significant.
Third Check
SPEECH Problem
→ Ask them to repeat a sentence
Is speech slurred, garbled, or impossible to understand? Are they unable to find words or speak at all? Can they understand what you’re saying?
Act Immediately
TIME — Note & Go
→ Note the exact time — right now
Write down the exact time symptoms started, or the last time the person was completely normal. Call 108. Go to a stroke-ready hospital immediately.
⚠ This time is critical for determining treatment eligibility
BE-FAST Additional Checks — Detects Posterior Circulation Strokes
Balance
Sudden Balance Loss
→ Ask them to walk or stand
Sudden loss of balance, dizziness, or inability to walk straight — especially with no obvious cause.
Eyes
Sudden Vision Loss
Sudden blurring, double vision, or complete vision loss in one or both eyes — with no prior history.
⚡ Even ONE Sign = Stroke Emergency
Do not wait for multiple symptoms. Do not wait to see if it improves. Call 108 and go to the nearest stroke-ready hospital — right now. Symptoms that disappear in minutes may still be a TIA — a warning of a major stroke within 48 hours.
⏱ Time Is Brain
Why Every Minute Decides Recovery
The brain is the most oxygen-hungry organ in the body. Once blood flow stops, damage is irreversible. Here is exactly what is at stake — minute by minute.
1.9M
Brain neurons permanently destroyed every minute a stroke goes untreated. In one hour, the brain ages 3.6 years.
Maximum Recovery Possible
Thrombolysis (IV tPA / tenecteplase) given within the first hour increases full functional recovery odds by 40%. The earlier, the better.Thrombolysis Still Effective
Clot-dissolving treatment remains eligible up to 4.5 hours. With modern imaging, the window can extend further. Every minute still matters.Thrombectomy Window
Mechanical clot removal for large vessel occlusions. In selected patients — especially with basilar artery blockage — up to 48 hours is now possible with imaging guidanceTime of onset is part of the treatment. Even a 15-minute difference can determine whether a patient receives thrombolysis. When you arrive at hospital, the first question will be: "When did symptoms start?" — Write it down now, before you forget.
In Order — Stay Calm
What To Do During a Stroke — Step by Step
Follow these steps in exact order. Stay calm. Every action is designed to protect the patient and maximise the time available for treatment.
First — Confirm Check the BE-FAST Signs
Quickly check all 6 signs — Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time. Even one positive sign is enough to act. You do not need all signs to be present. Do not wait for more symptoms to appear.
✓ Even mild or brief symptoms are an emergency — do not dismiss them
Critical — Do This Now Note the Exact Time — Right Now
Write on your phone: "Symptoms started at ___:___". If you don't know, write the last time they were seen completely normal. This single piece of information determines which treatments are available and could save their life.
✓ Write it down immediately — you may be too stressed to remember later
Emergency Call Call 108 or +91 7259 669 911
Call 108 (national ambulance) immediately. Tell the operator: "I think someone is having a stroke." Provide the address and the time symptoms started. If calling NeuroWellness, our team will coordinate the nearest stroke-ready hospital and alert them before you arrive.
✓ Ambulance team can begin assessment en-route and pre-alert the hospital stroke team
While Waiting Keep the Person Safe and Still
elp them sit or lie down in a safe position. Loosen tight clothing around the neck. Keep them calm and warm. Talk to them reassuringly. Monitor their breathing. Do not leave them alone.
✗ Do NOT give food, water, or any medication — stroke impairs swallowing
Get There Fast Go Directly to a Stroke-Ready Hospital
Proceed to a hospital with 24-hour CT scan, emergency neurologist, and thrombolysis capability. Do not stop at smaller clinics first — this wastes critical treatment time. In Bengaluru, call NeuroWellness for the nearest verified stroke-ready hospital.
✓ Bring the patient's regular medication list and any known allergies
At Hospital Tell the Team: Time + Symptoms
Immediately tell the emergency team: (1) the exact time symptoms started, (2) all symptoms you observed, (3) the patient's medications and medical history, and (4) any recent illnesses, surgeries, or blood thinners. Every detail matters for treatment eligibility.
✓ Show them the time you wrote on your phone — this is the most critical piece of information
Safe Positioning
How to Position the Patient
Correct positioning prevents choking and aspiration a life-threatening complication in stroke. Follow these guidelines while waiting for the ambulance.
If Conscious
Recovery Position
Help them lie on their side — the unaffected side if possible — with their head gently elevated on a pillow or folded clothing. This prevents choking if they vomit. Keep them still and warm. Talk to them reassuringly. Do not give anything by mouth.
CPR +Call 108 Immediately
Begin CPR chest compressions immediately and do not stop until emergency services arrive. Call 108 while doing this if possible — or ask someone else to call. Do not leave the person alone. If breathing is present but irregular, place in recovery position and monitor continuously.Critical Rules
Do This. Never Do That.
In a stroke emergency, the wrong action is as dangerous as no action. These common mistakes cost lives and delay treatment.
✅ Always Do These
- Note the exact time symptoms started immediately
- Call 108 or +91 7259 669 911 without delay
- Keep the person still and in recovery position
- Go directly to a stroke-ready hospital — no stops
- Bring their medications and allergy list
- Tell the emergency team all symptoms you observed
- Stay with the patient at all times
❌ Never Do These
- Wait to see if symptoms get better on their own
- Give food, water, juice, or any medication
- Let the person sleep it off
- Try any home remedy or traditional treatment
- Stop at multiple clinics before reaching hospital
- Let the patient drive themselves
- Assume it can't be a stroke because they are young
Act Immediately
Go to Hospital RIGHT NOW If You See…
Do not wait for symptoms to persist or worsen. Any of these signs even briefly — is a stroke emergency.
😶 Face Drooping
One side of the face droops or feels numb — even mildly💪 Arm or Leg Weakness
Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body🗣️ Speech Difficulty
Slurred speech, confusion, or unable to speak or understand🤕 Worst Headache Ever
Sudden severe headache unlike any before — especially with vomiting👁️ Vision Loss
Sudden blurred, double, or lost vision in one or both eyes🌀 Balance & Dizziness
Sudden loss of balance, coordination, or severe dizziness😵 Sudden Confusion
Sudden confusion, disorientation, or difficulty understanding😴 Loss of Consciousness
Fainting, sudden collapse, or unresponsiveness⚡ Even if Symptoms Disappear — Go Immediately (TIA)
Save These Now
Emergency Contacts — Bengaluru
Save all these numbers in your phone right now — before you ever need them. Do not search for them during an emergency.
7259 669 911
Stroke referral coordination, hospital routing, and specialist guidance for South Bengaluru. Available for emergency coordination 24×7.
108
Free national ambulance service. Tell the operator: “I suspect a stroke.” Provide your location and the time symptoms started.
7259 669 911
Send symptoms and location via WhatsApp for referral coordination and guidance to the nearest stroke-ready hospital in Bengaluru.
112
India’s unified national emergency number. Works from all phones including when roaming. Connects to local emergency dispatch in Karnataka.
🙏 Share This Guide — Save a Life in Bengaluru
Most people who witness a stroke don’t know what to do. Sharing this guide takes 5 seconds — and could save someone’s life, memory, speech, or independence.
Quick Answers
Stroke Emergency FAQs — Bengaluru
Written for families, bystanders, and first responders — clear answers during or before an emergency.
BE-FAST stands for: B — Balance (sudden loss), E — Eyes (sudden vision loss or blur), F — Face drooping (one side droops when smiling), A — Arm weakness (one arm drifts down when raised), S — Speech difficulty (slurred, confused, or absent), T — Time (note the time and go immediately). If ANY one sign appears — even briefly — go to a stroke-ready hospital in Bengaluru immediately. BE-FAST detects approximately 14% more strokes than the traditional FAST method alone.
Do NOT wait for symptoms to improve — every minute of delay permanently destroys brain cells. Do NOT give food, water, or medication — stroke impairs swallowing and aspiration is dangerous. 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 with CT scan and emergency neuro capability.
The time of onset determines which treatments are available. Thrombolysis (clot-dissolving injection with tPA or tenecteplase) is given within 4.5 hours. Mechanical thrombectomy can be performed within 6–24 hours in selected patients. Even a 15-minute difference can determine whether a patient qualifies for life-saving treatment. Write the exact time symptoms started — or the last time they were seen completely normal — and show it to the emergency team immediately.
A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) causes stroke-like symptoms that resolve within minutes to hours. Although symptoms disappear, a TIA is a medical emergency. The risk of a full stroke is highest in the 24–48 hours after a TIA. Urgent evaluation, imaging, and treatment can dramatically reduce this risk. Never dismiss symptoms because they resolved — seek emergency evaluation immediately.
Call 108 — the free national ambulance service in Karnataka — immediately. You can also call 112 (national emergency). Tell the operator you suspect a stroke, provide the patient’s location, and the time symptoms started. If an ambulance will take significantly longer than driving, have someone drive directly to the nearest stroke-ready hospital — the patient must NOT drive themselves. You can also call NeuroWellness on +91 7259 669 911 for referral coordination.
Yes. In India, 1 in 4 stroke patients is under 40. Bengaluru’s high-pressure IT work culture, sedentary lifestyles, uncontrolled blood pressure, and rising diabetes rates are significant risk factors. Young people with clotting disorders, structural heart abnormalities, or arterial dissection are also at risk. Stroke is a lifestyle emergency — not just an elderly disease. Know the signs regardless of age.
Thrombolysis is an intravenous injection of a clot-dissolving drug (tPA/alteplase or tenecteplase) given within 4.5 hours of an ischemic stroke. It dissolves the clot from inside the bloodstream. Mechanical thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure where a thin catheter is guided through blood vessels to physically remove the clot using a stent retriever or aspiration device. It is used for large vessel occlusions and can be performed within 6–24 hours (or up to 48 hours for basilar artery occlusion in selected patients). Both are available at NeuroWellness partner hospitals in Bengaluru.
NeuroWellness Stroke Connect
Explore the Stroke Network
Everything you need — from emergency guidance and hospital listings to patient referral and specialist second opinions — all in one place.
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Stroke Emergency Guide
Step-by-step emergency guide — FAST symptoms, what to do in the first 10 minutes, and how to reach the nearest stroke-ready hospital immediately.
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Stroke-Ready Hospitals
Verified list of stroke-ready hospitals in South Bengaluru — with addresses, 24×7 contacts, CT/MRI availability, and ambulance details.
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Refer a Stroke Patient
Bengaluru's first digital stroke referral system for doctors, GPs, and families coordinating specialist transfer or second opinion.
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Stroke Specialists
Meet the neurosurgeons and neurologists at NeuroWellness — profiles, expertise, and how to book a consultation or second opinion.
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Stroke Recovery & Rehab
Post-stroke rehabilitation guide — physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and long-term recovery planning by the NeuroWellness team.
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NeuroWellness Stroke Connect
NeuroWellness Stroke Connect WhatsApp 24×7 stroke triage system — send symptoms and location to get immediate guidance and nearest stroke-ready hospital within minutes.
Dr. Ganesh Veerabhadraiah
Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon & Interventional Neuro Specialist · HOD Neurosurgery
Founder, NeuroWellness India · Bengaluru
Specialises in acute stroke intervention, mechanical thrombectomy, endovascular surgery, and complex neurovascular procedures. Committed to “Time is Brain” — rapid-response stroke care across Bengaluru.