The main features helping in stroke identification are – FAST
1. F-Facial weakness
2. A-Arm swing
3. S-Speech disturbances
4. T-Time to call an ambulance
Inability to walk can also be considered as a symptom of a stroke, however, it can happen for a variety of reasons other than a stroke.
When these symptoms are identified, the patient should be taken to a stroke-ready centre as soon as possible (within an hour-golden hour) or within 4.5-6 hours. If they are brought in this duration, thrombolysis can be done with alteplase or tenecteplase. Even mechanical thrombectomy can be offered in some selected patients.