Every Minute Matters: BNU expert highlights the importance of recognising ‘FAST’ on National Stroke Prevention Day
A stroke will strike someone in the UK every five minutes – with 100,000 strokes happening each year, according to The Stroke Association. While many associate strokes with major, life-changing events, Ruth Trout, a Senior Lecturer and experienced nurse at Buckinghamshire New University, is using National Stroke Prevention Day to shine a light on the warning signs that commonly go unnoticed.
Ruth, who shared her expertise this morning on BBC Three Counties Radio, draws on 32 years of neuroscience nursing experience to emphasise the need for greater public awareness of symptoms linked to minor strokes and Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs). These brief and sometimes subtle episodes are highly significant indicators of stroke risk.
“TIAs can last only minutes and symptoms often resolve quickly,” Ruth explains. “Someone may feel dizzy, have double vision or a brief facial droop, but because it settles, they dismiss it and continue with their day. That’s a critical mistake. A TIA is one of the strongest predictors of a major stroke—particularly within the following seven days.”
The FAST campaign has played a vital role in helping people recognise the signs of major strokes. The symptoms to identify include:
- Facial weakness – Drooping of the mouth or eye and difficulty smiling
- Arm weakness – Inability to lift or keep both arms raised
- Speech problems – Slurred or unclear speech and/or difficulty understanding speech
- Time – If any of these signs appear, call 999 immediately
However, Ruth stresses the importance of understanding some symptoms fall outside the traditional checklist. She highlights Balance and Eyes as additional key indicators in minor strokes and TIAs. There are even calls to modify FAST to BE-FAST to acknowledge the importance of these indicators.
- Balance – Sudden dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination
- Eyes – Blurred, partial, or double vision
“National Stroke Prevention Day is an important reminder that stroke is preventable,” Ruth adds. “It can happen to anyone, at any time. Recognising symptoms early—especially the subtle ones—can save lives. Additionally, understanding stroke risk factors and doing something to minimise them is an important element of self-care and managing one’s own health. Leading risk factors include hypertension (high blood pressure), smoking, having diabetes or high cholesterol, and being overweight or unfit. Addressing these risks; reducing blood pressure, giving up smoking and modifying diet and exercise can substantially lower stroke and TIA risk.”
Beyond her clinical work and media advocacy, Ruth continues to shape the future of stroke care through her book, Understanding the Lived Experience of the Stroke Patient – A Guide for Health Professionals. This text has been written with a team of healthcare professionals and stroke survivors to give an insight into the consequences of stroke to professionals and patients alike. Her work bridges clinical knowledge with patient-centred practice, helping ensure Buckinghamshire New University students graduate with the competence and compassion needed for high-quality nursing management.