Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Singapore, after heart disease and cancer. Brain cells start dying within minutes when blood flow stops, so treatment delay often means permanent disability.
You do not need to diagnose the stroke type on the spot. You need to recognise symptoms, act on FAST, and get the person to hospital immediately. This guide covers warning signs, the three stroke types, and what to do in the first hour.
Stroke Symptoms Vary, but FAST Catches Most Cases
Not everyone shows every sign at once. One person may slur speech; another may lose vision or feel sudden numbness on one side.
The FAST acronym, promoted by the Health Promotion Board, covers the most common presentations:
Face drooping – Does one side of the face droop or feel numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the smile uneven?
Arm weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask them to raise both arms. Does one drift downward?
Speech difficulty – Is speech slurred or hard to understand? Ask them to repeat a simple sentence like "the sky is blue."
Time to call 995 – If any one of these signs appears, call 995 immediately. Do not wait to see if symptoms pass.
Three Types of Stroke
Ischemic Stroke
A blood clot blocks supply to part of the brain. The most common underlying cause is atherosclerosis, where fatty plaque narrows arteries over time. See how high cholesterol leads to blocked arteries for prevention context.
Roughly 87% of strokes are ischemic.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
A blood vessel in the brain bursts and bleeds into surrounding tissue. High blood pressure is the most common cause.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
A temporary blockage that resolves on its own, sometimes called a mini-stroke. Symptoms may last minutes or up to 24 hours, but a TIA is a warning sign that a full stroke could follow.
Four Steps to Take When Stroke Is Suspected
1. Act on FAST Immediately
Every minute without blood flow kills brain tissue. Recognise the signs and call 995 without delay.
2. Call 995, Not a GP
Stroke is a medical emergency. Call 995 rather than driving to a clinic or waiting for a GP appointment. Early treatment dramatically improves survival and recovery outcomes.
3. Stay Calm and Get to Hospital Quickly
If you are the one having symptoms, do not drive yourself. Call 995 even if symptoms seem mild or start to fade. Temporary improvement can still mean a TIA.
Tell emergency staff you suspect a stroke so triage prioritises you correctly.
4. Keep an Emergency Kit Ready
Prepare a home kit with a first aid kit, a flashlight, your doctor's number, and the 995 emergency line saved in your phone.
If you experience symptoms of a stroke or think that you or someone you know is having one, call 995 immediately.
Find out more about SCDF emergency medical services.
What to do next
Print or save the FAST steps on your phone. Run a household drill: who calls 995, who meets the ambulance, where you keep first-aid supplies.
Reduce long-term risk with cholesterol and heart health screening at your GP, plus emergency preparedness for other crises.
If symptoms are mild or unclear, still call 995. Do not drive to A&E yourself during an active stroke. For non-stroke urgent issues, use GP vs emergency department guidance instead.
