By Mapaballo Borotho
- World Stroke Day on 29 October raises awareness of stroke symptoms and the importance of urgent medical treatment.
- The FAST method helps people recognise facial drooping, arm weakness and speech difficulties.
- Calling emergency services immediately, noting when symptoms began and avoiding food, drink or unprescribed medication are key steps when a stroke is suspected.
South Africa joins the global community in observing World Stroke Day on Thursday, 29 October 2026, under the theme ‘Every Minute Counts’, as stroke continues to affect individuals, families and communities.
To mark the day, the Department of Health is urging South Africans to recognise the warning signs of a stroke and seek emergency medical care immediately.
Delays in treatment can result in death, permanent disability and a loss of independence.
What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted, either because a blood vessel becomes blocked or because a blood vessel ruptures and bleeds.
Without an adequate supply of blood and oxygen, brain cells begin to sustain damage.
According to the World Stroke Organisation, approximately 1.9 million brain cells can be lost every minute during an untreated stroke, highlighting why recognising the symptoms and seeking urgent medical attention are critical.
A stroke can affect movement, balance, speech, swallowing, memory and a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. Depending on its severity, survivors may require ongoing rehabilitation and support.
What are the warning signs of a stroke?
Individuals should use the FAST method to recognise common stroke symptoms:
- Face drooping: Ask the person to smile and check whether one side of their face droops.
- Arm weakness: Ask them to raise both arms and see whether one arm is weak or drifts downwards.
- Speech difficulty: Ask them to repeat a simple sentence and listen for slurred or confused speech.
- Time to act: If you notice any of these signs, call emergency medical services immediately.
Other warning signs include sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, confusion, difficulty seeing, sudden trouble walking or maintaining balance, a severe headache with no known cause, or reduced consciousness.
Gauteng Health spokesperson Steve Mabona has urged the public to recognise these warning signs and seek urgent medical attention rather than attempting to diagnose the condition at home.
What should you do in the first 10 minutes?
When a stroke is suspected, every minute matters. Here are the steps to take while waiting for emergency medical assistance.
1. Recognise the symptoms – Check for facial drooping, arm weakness or difficulty speaking. Do not wait for all three symptoms to appear before seeking help.
2. Call emergency medical services immediately – In South Africa, you can call 112 from a cellphone or 10177 for an ambulance. Tell the operator that you suspect a stroke and describe the symptoms.
3. Note when the symptoms began – If you do not know the exact time, note when the person was last seen behaving normally. This information can help medical professionals assess which treatments may be appropriate.
4. Keep the person safe and monitor their breathing – Help them remain comfortable and prevent falls. If they become unconscious, follow the emergency operator’s instructions and monitor their breathing.
5. Do not give them food, water or medication – A stroke can affect swallowing, increasing the risk of choking. Do not give aspirin or other medication unless instructed by a qualified medical professional.
Even if the symptoms disappear after a few minutes, seek emergency medical care. Temporary symptoms can indicate a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a mini-stroke, which also requires urgent assessment.
What causes a stroke?
The Department of Health identifies high blood pressure as one of the most important risk factors for stroke. Hypertension can go unnoticed because it often presents without obvious symptoms.
Other risk factors include diabetes, high cholesterol, tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, obesity, physical inactivity, diets high in salt and unhealthy fats, certain heart conditions, increasing age and a family history of stroke.
While some risk factors cannot be changed, managing blood pressure, controlling diabetes and cholesterol, avoiding tobacco, staying physically active and following a balanced diet can help reduce the risk.
How is a stroke treated?
Treatment depends on the type of stroke, its severity, when symptoms began and the patient’s clinical condition.
Some patients may be eligible for time-sensitive treatments that restore blood flow to the brain, while strokes caused by bleeding require a different approach.
Medical professionals must determine the appropriate treatment following an urgent assessment and brain imaging.
Rehabilitation is also an important part of recovery. Once the patient is medically stable, their care may include physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy to help restore function, manage complications and improve their quality of life.
The Department of Health has stressed that families should not attempt to determine which type of stroke a person is experiencing.
The priority is to recognise the warning signs, call for emergency assistance, note the last-known-well time and avoid giving food, water or unprescribed medication.
Remember: every minute counts. Recognising the signs and acting quickly could help save a life.
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