A stroke is a 'brain attack', caused by a disturbance in the blood supply tot he brain. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. So recongising the signs of stroke and calling 999 for an ambulance is crucial.

The signs include:

Face - Has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?

Arms - Can they raise both arms and keep them there?

Speech - Is their speech slurred?

Time to call 999 if you see any one of these signs

This information was provided by the Irish Heart Foundation - for more information please visit www.stroke.ie or www.irishheart.ie. You can also talk to an Irish Heart Foundation nurse in confidence by calling the Heart and Stroke Helpline on 1890 432 787, Monday to Friday, 10am - 5pm.