Quick answer. A stroke is a medical emergency where every minute counts. Use FAST to recognise it: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call 995 immediately. Other sudden warning signs include numbness or weakness on one side, confusion or trouble speaking, vision loss, a severe headache, or loss of balance and coordination; a TIA (“mini-stroke”) whose symptoms resolve is still a serious warning and an emergency. High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor, and around 80% of strokes are preventable by controlling blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and atrial fibrillation alongside a healthy lifestyle. Do not wait or drive yourself to hospital, call 995 so treatment can begin as fast as possible.
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in Singapore, and it strikes suddenly. When a stroke happens, brain cells start to die within minutes, so recognising the signs and getting emergency help fast can be the difference between full recovery and permanent disability. This guide explains how to spot a stroke using the FAST check, the other warning signs to watch for, why every minute matters, and the steps that lower your risk. The most important message is simple: if you suspect a stroke, call 995 immediately.
At a glance
| FAST letter | What to check | Action |
|---|---|---|
| F – Face | Ask them to smile – does one side of the face droop or feel numb? | Note any unevenness |
| A – Arm | Ask them to raise both arms – does one drift down or feel weak? | Note one-sided weakness |
| S – Speech | Ask them to repeat a simple sentence – is speech slurred or strange? | Note any difficulty |
| T – Time | Any one sign present? | Call 995 immediately; note the time symptoms started |
| Don't wait | Symptoms that come and go (possible TIA) still count | Still call 995 – do not drive yourself |
Spot a stroke with FAST
The easiest way to recognise a stroke is the FAST check. If you see any one of these signs in yourself or someone else, act immediately:
- F – Face drooping: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop or feel numb, so the smile is uneven?
- A – Arm weakness: Ask them to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downwards, or feel weak or numb?
- S – Speech difficulty: Ask them to repeat a simple sentence. Is their speech slurred, strange, or hard to understand?
- T – Time to call 995: If you notice any of these signs, call 995 straight away. Note the time the symptoms started, as this helps doctors decide on treatment.
You do not need all three of the first signs to be present. Even one sign that appears suddenly is enough reason to call for an ambulance.
Other sudden warning signs
Stroke symptoms come on suddenly. Besides the FAST signs, call 995 if you notice any of the following appear out of nowhere:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, or trouble speaking or understanding others
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, or double vision
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance and coordination
- A sudden, severe headache with no known cause
These symptoms can occur with both main types of stroke, so any sudden onset should be treated as an emergency.
The two main types of stroke
There are two main types of stroke, and both are emergencies:
- Ischaemic stroke is the most common, accounting for about 80% of strokes in Singapore. It happens when a blood clot blocks an artery supplying the brain, cutting off oxygen to brain cells.
- Haemorrhagic stroke makes up the remaining roughly 20% and happens when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and bleeds. It is often linked to uncontrolled high blood pressure or a ruptured aneurysm, and tends to carry a higher risk of death and disability.
You cannot reliably tell the two apart from symptoms alone, which is one reason it is vital to call 995 and let doctors run a brain scan rather than self-treat.
TIA: a mini-stroke is still an emergency
A transient ischaemic attack (TIA), often called a “mini-stroke”, causes the same symptoms as a stroke but they resolve, often within minutes to an hour. It is tempting to brush it off once you feel normal again – but a TIA is a serious warning sign of a future stroke.
Research cited by Singapore health authorities shows that 10-15% of people who have a TIA go on to have a full stroke within three months, and many of these happen within the first 48 hours. So even if symptoms disappear completely, treat a suspected TIA as an emergency and call 995 or seek urgent medical care.
Why time matters: time is brain
During an ischaemic stroke, brain cells die rapidly until blood flow is restored – which is why doctors say “time is brain.” The faster treatment starts, the more brain can be saved.
- Clot-busting medicine (thrombolysis) can dissolve a clot, but it is generally only given within about 4.5 hours of symptoms starting.
- Clot retrieval (mechanical thrombectomy) physically removes a large clot and, in carefully selected patients, may be possible for longer windows of up to 24 hours.
These treatments are time-critical, and the sooner you arrive at a stroke-ready hospital, the more options doctors have. This is exactly why you should call 995 and let the ambulance take you – do not wait to “see if it passes” and do not drive yourself or the patient. Paramedics can begin assessment on the way and alert the hospital so the stroke team is ready.
Risk factors and how to prevent stroke
Around 80% of strokes are preventable by managing risk factors. The biggest single risk factor is high blood pressure (hypertension). Other major risk factors include:
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat that can throw off clots)
- Smoking
- Obesity and being overweight
- Physical inactivity
To lower your risk:
- Control your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, and take prescribed medications regularly.
- Manage atrial fibrillation with your doctor, as it may need blood-thinning treatment.
- Stop smoking and limit alcohol.
- Eat a diet lower in salt, saturated fat and sugar, stay physically active, and maintain a healthy weight.
- Go for regular health screening so conditions like hypertension are caught early.
For advice tailored to your own health, speak to your doctor – this guide is general information and not a substitute for individual medical care.
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- Best Neurology Clinics in Singapore — our editorial shortlist
- neurology clinics directory
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- Dementia & memory loss
- Vertigo & dizziness
Sources
- HealthHub (HPB) – About Stroke
- HealthHub – Be Stroke Smart
- SingHealth – Stroke: Symptoms, Prevention & Treatment
- National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) – Don't delay calling 995 if you have stroke symptoms
- HealthXchange (SingHealth) – How to Spot a Stroke: Act FAST
See also
Related conditions & guides
Related conditions and guides you may find useful:
- Bell’s Palsy in Singapore
- Coronary Artery Disease & Angina in Singapore
- Diabetes Complications in Singapore
- Epilepsy & Seizures in Singapore
- Heart Rhythm Disorders (Arrhythmias) in Singapore
- Heart Attack Warning Signs in Singapore
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