Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you. In this episode, find out how to spot stroke symptoms and what happens after a stroke patient gets to the hospital.  Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is restricted. It can be due to the blockage of blood vessels (ischaemic stroke) or bleeding in the brain (haemorrhagic stroke). Data from the latest Singapore Stroke Registry Annual Report, which is for 2020, showed that stroke cases have risen to 8,846 in 2020, up from 5,890 in 2010.  Stroke is a life-threatening condition and the acronym FAST (Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties and Time) is used to remember the signs of a stroke. Still, this can be missed. ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Professor Deidre Anne De Silva, the head and senior consultant at the Department of Neurology in the National Neuroscience Institute (Singapore General Hospital campus). Highlights (click/tap above): 2:12 Why every minute counts; emergency treatment means calling 995 for an ambulance, not delaying 6:26 What happens when you get treated faster within 4.5 hours, or after delaying it for 24 hours 10:51 Early stroke symptoms to look out for 19:53 Prof De Silva's advice for stroke awareness and prevention; 4 out 5 strokes are actually preventable Produced by: Joyce Teo ([email protected]), Ernest Luis and Eden Soh Edited by: Eden Soh Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv  SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #healthcheck See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.