You’re talking to someone and suddenly they fall silent, their face sags, or their speech is slurred. It’s frightening—but it’s what you do after that can save their life.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is cut off or disrupted. Without oxygen, brain cells start to die within a matter of minutes. Immediate action can make the difference between a full recovery and disability, or even death. Stroke is one of the major causes of death and disability worldwide. However, many people don’t know what to do during those important initial moments. Here are five lifesaving steps you should take if someone close to you is having a stroke.

Act FAST to Recognize the Signs – The simplest way to identify a stroke is to remember FAST:

• F – Face: Is one side of the face drooping when smiling?
• A – Arms: Is one arm sagging when raised?
• S – Speech: Is one’s speech slurring or abnormal?
• T – Time: Time to call emergency services right away.

Other symptoms can be sudden vision loss, confusion, dizziness, or a bad headache.

Call Emergency Services Immediately – The moment someone notices these symptoms, it is very important to call for an ambulance. Don’t take the person yourself—paramedics can start treatment en route and notify the hospital to have stroke care ready. Early treatment is essential, particularly if clot-dissolving medication is administered within a small window (usually 3–4.5 hours after the attack).

Write Down the Time of Symptom Onset – Doctors will need to know exactly when symptoms started. This determines which treatments are possible. If you don’t know, note the last time the person was seen “normal.” Save the time on your phone or write it down. Every minute counts.

Keep the Person Safe and Still –

•  Place them on their side if they’re vomiting or unconscious.
• Unbutton and loosen tight clothing.
• Do not give food, water, or medication—swallowing could be compromised, leading to choking.

Don’t assume – Don’t assume it’s low blood sugar or a seizure. And don’t ever administer NSAIDs unless told to by a doctor—it can make the situation worse with a bleeding stroke. Even if the symptoms immediately go away (like in the case of a mini-stroke or TIA), call emergency services. It may be an early warning of a more imminent stroke to come.

Strokes can happen at a moment’s notice, but your reaction does not have to be. Recognizing the symptoms and moving quickly can save a life or spare the person from lifelong disability. Learn the FAST signs and share them with others.

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Stroke is the second leading cause of death, the third leading cause of disability worldwide, and is responsible for 160 million years of healthy life lost each year. The impact on individuals, families, and society is incalculable. This award acknowledges the hospital’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in treating stroke patients. Facilities at Sahyadri Hospitals include a dedicated Neuro ICU, which is a specialized intensive care unit focusing on patients with severe neurological issues. The hospital also boasts a dedicated stroke team led by Dr Nasli Ichaporia, specialized in quickly and effectively treating stroke emergencies. The hospital uses benchmarking for thrombolysis and can minimize the effects of a stroke. Additionally, Sahyadri Hospitals are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for mechanical thrombectomy to remove clots from the brain in certain stroke patients, performed by expert clinical leaders using advanced technology.

Recognition has also come from the World Stroke Organisation (WSO)/Angels award committee, which grants awards to hospitals that provide effective data and demonstrate effective care and treatment delivery according to a set of specific criteria. Sahyadri Hospitals has received the Diamond award, the highest level, for quality stroke care for 14 consecutive quarters. This award is part of a program that emphasizes continuous data capturing and analysis to identify and address areas for improvement in brain stroke care.

Dr. Sunil Rao, Chief Operating Officer and Medical Director at Sahyadri Group of Hospitals, remarked, “Receiving the NABH certification is not just about meeting high standards—it’s about exceeding them and establishing new benchmarks in healthcare. This recognition is a clear reflection of our relentless dedication to providing top-quality care and ensuring the safety and well-being of our patients. As one of the first hospitals in India to achieve this milestone, we are immensely proud. We remain committed to maintaining these rigorous standards across all our facilities.”

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