A warning has been issued in order to increase awareness of 'tell-tale' signs of a stroke that do not feature on the FAST list.
The commonly known acronym FAST - facial weakness, arm weakness, speech problems, time to call 999 - is often used when looking for the signs of a stroke. But there are a number of lesser known signs to look out for, experts say.
One in seven stroke sufferers do not experience the FAST symptoms, with a number of additional and dangerous signs often occurring. These symptoms include difficulty swallowing and a loss of sight in one or both eyes, reports the Mirror.
Across the UK, more than 100,000 people suffer a stroke each year - an average of one every five minutes - with 38,000 losing their lives.
Professor Martin Dennis, an expert in stroke medicine at the University of Edinburgh, explained that is it essential for those experiencing a stroke to be treated promptly to decrease the risk of further health problems, disabilities or even death.
Speaking to the MailOnline, the expert shared the six 'tell-tale' signs that people should look out for in addition to the FAST acronym.
Sudden numbness on one side of the body
Numbness in the hand, arm, leg or part of the face is a common sign of a stroke.
According to Professor Dennis, this symptom is due to pressure on the nerves - nerve compression - and is especially common when sitting on laying down.
Sudden numbness in the face and arm or in the arm at leg that occurs simultaneously may be a cause for concern.
It is important to remember that this does not necessarily mean a stroke is happening, but if this symptom appears alongside any of those under the FAST acronym, medical attention should be sought immediately.
Sudden memory loss
Memory loss could be a sign of a stroke, with confusion and difficulty understanding often appearing as memory loss.
It means that sudden memory loss can appear as a 'rare' stroke symptoms, according to the expert.
"People who develop aphasia or dysphasia (difficulties understanding language) will jumble their words, and may not be able to say anything, or understand anything," Professor Dennis said.
"Their reading and writing may be affected. They may be described by lay peoples as being confused or having loss of memory because they cannot answer questions."
Loss of sight in one or both eyes
Blurred vision or complete loss of vision in one or both eyes is a less commonly recognised symptoms.
Of the one in seven stroke sufferers who do not experience FAST symptoms, four of 10 list visual problems as one of their stroke symptoms, according to a 2017 study in the journal Stroke.
The symptom is caused by a loss of circulation to the eyes which may be cause by a stroke.
Sudden Vertigo
The often harmless symptom can be a sign of conditions such as an ear infection of headache.
However, vertigo can also be a sign of a stroke when coupled with double vision, weakness or clumsiness of the limbs and sudden slurred speech.
Between 15,000 and 25,000 people who suffer a stroke every year present with dizziness or vertigo symptoms, according to one 2016 study.
Another study from 2017 suggested that as many as four in 10 sufferers, who did not experience the 'typical' signs, listed vertigo as a symptom.
Difficulty swallowing
Difficulty swallowing can be a cause of concern and should therefore be taken serious, says Professor Martin James, a consultant stroke physician at the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust in Devon.
However expert added that the symptoms is "very very rarely a sign of a stroke on its own".
Swallowing problems, also known as dysphagia, is thought to affect around 4million people across the UK.
A sudden, severe headache
Often associated with migraines a headache, in rare stroke cases, can "be a feature of a subarachnoid or intracerebral bleed," Prof Dennis said.
A subarachnoid haemorrhage, an uncommon type of stroke, is bleeding in the space around the brain.
Between the thin layers of tissue that cover the brain, the bleeding can result in serious side effects and can even lead to death.
Age, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and diabetes are all things that are known to increase the risk of a stroke, with stroke currently the fourth biggest killer and leading cause of disability across the UK.
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