Stroke (Brain Attack) — FAST Signs, Causes & Treatment

update Last Updated: May 15, 2026
person Reviewed by Hope Hospital Neurosurgery Team

Emergency: If you see Face drooping, Arm weakness, or Speech difficulty in someone — it's Time to call 071-22980073 immediately. Every minute of delay kills 1.9 million brain cells. Hope Hospital's neurosurgery team is available 24/7.

What is a Stroke?

A stroke, sometimes called a "brain attack," occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is suddenly interrupted or when a brain blood vessel bursts. Without oxygen-rich blood, brain cells die within minutes — causing paralysis, speech loss, vision problems, or death if not treated urgently.

Stroke is the second leading cause of death globally and a major cause of long-term disability in India. Most strokes can be treated effectively if patients reach a stroke-ready hospital within the 4.5-hour golden window.

FAST — Recognize Stroke Symptoms

The FAST acronym helps anyone identify a stroke in seconds:

  • F — Face drooping: Ask the person to smile. Is one side of the face drooping or numb?
  • A — Arm weakness: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  • S — Speech difficulty: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Is speech slurred or strange?
  • T — Time to call emergency: If you see ANY of these signs, call 071-22980073 immediately. Note the exact time symptoms started.

Other Warning Signs

  • Sudden severe headache with no known cause
  • Sudden vision loss or double vision in one or both eyes
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance
  • Confusion or trouble understanding speech
  • Numbness in the leg or face on one side

Types of Stroke

1. Ischemic Stroke (87% of cases)

Caused by a blood clot blocking an artery supplying the brain. Treatment focuses on dissolving or removing the clot quickly.

2. Hemorrhagic Stroke

Caused by a burst blood vessel bleeding into the brain. Common causes include high blood pressure, aneurysms, or arteriovenous malformations. Treatment focuses on stopping the bleed and reducing brain pressure — often requires neurosurgery.

3. Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA, "Mini-Stroke")

Symptoms last minutes to hours then disappear. A TIA is a major warning — about 1 in 3 people who have a TIA will have a full stroke within a year unless treated.

Causes and Risk Factors

  • High blood pressure (hypertension) — the #1 cause
  • Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat causing clots)
  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol
  • Smoking and tobacco use
  • Heavy alcohol consumption
  • Obesity and physical inactivity
  • Family history of stroke
  • Age over 55
  • Previous stroke or TIA

Diagnosis

At Hope Hospital, urgent stroke evaluation begins on arrival:

  • CT scan or MRI brain: Distinguishes ischemic from hemorrhagic stroke within minutes
  • CT angiography: Maps blocked or burst arteries
  • Carotid Doppler: Checks neck arteries
  • ECG & Echocardiogram: Detects heart causes (atrial fibrillation, clots)
  • Blood tests: Clotting profile, sugar, cholesterol

Emergency Treatment

Intravenous Thrombolysis (tPA)

Clot-busting injection given within 4.5 hours of symptom onset for ischemic stroke. Dissolves the clot and restores blood flow.

Mechanical Thrombectomy

For large-vessel ischemic strokes: a catheter is threaded into the brain artery to physically remove the clot. Can be performed up to 6 hours (sometimes 24 hours) after symptom onset.

Neurosurgery for Hemorrhagic Stroke

To stop bleeding, drain accumulated blood, clip aneurysms, or relieve pressure on the brain. Hope Hospital's Hope Neurology unit performs emergency craniotomy, aneurysm clipping, and intraventricular drainage.

Supportive Care

  • Blood pressure control
  • Blood sugar management
  • Prevention of complications (DVT, pneumonia, bedsores)
  • Neuro ICU monitoring

Stroke Rehabilitation

Recovery often takes months. Structured rehab maximizes functional return:

  • Physiotherapy: Regaining movement and strength
  • Speech therapy: Rebuilding speech and swallowing
  • Occupational therapy: Relearning daily activities
  • Counselling: Coping with depression and cognitive changes
  • Medication: Long-term blood thinners, BP control, statins

Prevention

  • Control blood pressure (target <140/90 mmHg)
  • Manage diabetes and cholesterol
  • Quit smoking and reduce alcohol
  • Exercise at least 30 minutes a day
  • Eat a balanced low-salt diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains
  • Treat atrial fibrillation with anticoagulants if prescribed
  • Recognize and act on TIA symptoms immediately

When to Seek Emergency Care

Call 071-22980073 IMMEDIATELY if you or someone shows any FAST sign — Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty. Note the time symptoms started. Do not wait for symptoms to "go away."

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the FAST warning signs of stroke?
A: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 071-22980073. Even one FAST sign is a medical emergency.
Q: What is the difference between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke?
A: Ischemic stroke (87%) is caused by a clot blocking the brain artery. Hemorrhagic stroke is bleeding from a burst blood vessel. CT/MRI distinguishes them — treatment is very different.
Q: What is the golden hour for stroke treatment?
A: Thrombolysis works best within 4.5 hours of symptom onset; mechanical thrombectomy up to 6 hours. The earlier, the better the recovery. Hope Hospital's neuro team is on call 24/7.
Q: Is stroke treatment free under Ayushman Bharat?
A: Yes. Thrombolysis, neurosurgery, and post-stroke rehab are covered under Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY), MJPJAY and other schemes at Hope Hospital Nagpur.

Expert Stroke & Neurosurgery Care at Hope Hospital

Hope Hospital houses Hope Neurology — a dedicated neuro unit with 24/7 brain and spine care, Neuro ICU, and experienced neurosurgeons. We provide emergency thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy, aneurysm clipping, brain tumour surgery, and comprehensive stroke rehabilitation.

Time is brain. Call 071-22980073 / +91-9823555053 for 24/7 emergency stroke care, or learn more about neurosurgery services at Hope Hospital.