World Stroke Day (October 29): Signs, FAST Test & Prevention

A stroke happens when blood supply to part of the brain is cut off or a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Every minute counts. World Stroke Day, held every October 29, spreads one life-saving message: recognise the signs, act fast and prevent strokes before they happen.

About the day
Date	October 29 every year
Organised by	World Stroke Organization (WSO)
Established	2006
Key message	Stroke is preventable and treatable
Hashtags	#WorldStrokeDay #ActFAST

Stroke in Numbers

Fact	Figure (World Stroke Organization estimates)
New strokes each year	Over 12 million
Deaths from stroke each year	About 7 million
Lifetime risk for adults over 25	About 1 in 4
Strokes linked to modifiable risk factors	About 90%

Spot a Stroke: Think F.A.S.T.

Letter	Sign	What to check
F	Face	Is one side of the face drooping? Ask the person to smile.
A	Arms	Can they raise both arms and keep them up?
S	Speech	Is their speech slurred or strange?
T	Time	Call emergency services immediately — note the time symptoms started.

Other sudden signs can include loss of balance, blurred or lost vision, severe headache with no known cause, confusion and numbness on one side of the body. Many hospitals teach BE FAST, adding Balance and Eyes.

“Time is brain” — during a major stroke, the brain can lose millions of nerve cells every minute without treatment.

Types of Stroke

Type	Cause	Share of strokes
Ischaemic	A clot blocks an artery to the brain	Most strokes (around 6 in 10 to 8 in 10, depending on the region)
Haemorrhagic	A blood vessel bursts and bleeds into or around the brain	The rest
TIA (“mini-stroke”)	Temporary blockage; symptoms go away	A serious warning sign of a future stroke

Treatment: Why Speed Matters

For ischaemic stroke, clot-busting medicine (thrombolysis) works best within the first few hours, and mechanical clot removal (thrombectomy) can help selected patients. These treatments are only possible if the person reaches a hospital quickly. Rehabilitation — physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy — helps survivors regain independence.

How to Lower Your Risk

1. Check your blood pressure — high blood pressure is the biggest single risk factor.
2. Don’t smoke and avoid second-hand smoke.
3. Move more — aim for regular physical activity most days.
4. Eat well — more vegetables, fruit, whole grains and less salt.
5. Manage diabetes and cholesterol.
6. Limit alcohol.
7. Know your heart rhythm — atrial fibrillation greatly increases stroke risk.
8. Reduce stress and sleep well.

👉 Also October 29: Turkey Republic Day

👉 More health days: Health and wellness observances

FAQ

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.