Every five minutes, someone in the UK has a stroke, but many can be prevented. NHS statistics reveal over 100,000 UK residents suffer from stroke each year, with approximately 38,000 fatalities, making it the nation's fourth highest cause of death.

But, more individuals than ever are now surviving strokes, with the Stroke Association reporting that the UK is home to around 1.3 million stroke survivors. And a study published in The Lancet found up to nine out of 10 could be preventable.

Strokes happen when blood stops flowing to part of the brain. The Stroke Association says: "A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, killing brain cells.

"Damage to the brain can affect how the body works. It can also change how you think and feel. The effects of a stroke depend on where it takes place in the brain, and how big the damaged area is.

"Stroke can be life-changing. It can happen to anyone of any age and affects everyone in different ways." And it warns: "A stroke is a medical emergency. If you spot the signs of stroke, call 999."

But according to the Stroke Association, there are key red flags to watch for, which can warn you that a stroke might be about to happen or that you are already having one.

Signs you are having a stroke can be remembered by the word FAST which stands for Face, Arms, Speech, Time. This is a test to quickly identify the three most common signs of stroke.

• Face weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
• Arm weakness: Can the person raise both arms fully and keep them there?
• Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say? Is their speech slurred
• Time to call 999: if you see any one of these signs

This test helps spot the three most common signs of stroke there are other signs and symptoms to take seriously. These include:

• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, including legs, hands or feet.
• Difficulty finding words or speaking in clear sentences.
• Sudden blurred vision or loss of sight in one or both eyes.
• Sudden memory loss or confusion.
• Sudden dizziness, unsteadiness or a sudden fall.
• A sudden, severe headache.

The charity warns: "If you spot any one of these signs or symptoms, don't wait. Call 999 straight away."

But there are some signs which can appear days ahead of the stroke. Here are three of the most common.

'Funny turn'

A mini-stroke, or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), is the same as stroke but with symptoms that last for just a short amount of time and less than 24 hours. People can mistake this up for a "funny turn" as it passes quickly or think it is as a result of being tired or having a migraine.

A stroke is caused by a blockage cutting off the blood supply to part of the brain - with a TIA this is just temporary. But it must be taken seriously, says the Stroke Association.

The charity warns: "More than one in 12 people will have a stroke within a week of having a mini-stroke and the greatest risk is within the first few days. If you have a mini-stroke you must get it treated urgently.

"Around 46,000 people in the UK have their first mini-stroke every year. Most people don't realise it is a medical emergency and so they don't take the right action.

"The symptoms of a mini-stroke may only be temporary but they almost certainly indicate an underlying problem that needs to be assessed and treated. Around 10,000 strokes could be prevented every year if they were urgently investiatedand treated appropriately.

"A mini-stroke is a warning signal that you are at risk. Don't ignore it. Get medical help immediately."

Unusual headache

Sometimes a certain kind of headache can be an early warning of a pending stroke. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Headache and Pain found out of 550 adults 81 - or 14.7% - had a headache in the seven days before they had a stroke - known as a sentinel headache.

Researchers say these were described as a sudden, intense, persistent headache, with features different from any usual previous headache. It happened days or even weeks before the stroke and affected 15% to 60% of patients.

Of those who had a headache 46 had a tension-like headache, 33 a migraine and two a thunderclap headache. The headaches often lasted until stroke symptoms happened, but some disappeared within a few hours.

While 23 patients had the headache from one to 10 hours before the stroke, 26 had it up to two days ahead of the medical episode, and the rest, 32, had it between three and seven days earlier.

Researchers said: "A new type of headache and a previous kind of headache with altered characteristics during one week before stroke are significantly more prevalent than in controls.

"These headaches represent sentinel headaches. Sudden onset of such headaches should alarm about stroke."

'Thumping heart'

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a heart condition that causes an irregular heartbeat and increases your risk of a serious stroke. The Stroke Association says: "Normally, blood flows into the heart and gets fully pumped out every time the heart beats. But in AF, blood can pool inside the heart. A clot can form in the blood and then travel to the brain, causing a stroke.

"AF can make you five times more likely to have a stroke. Strokes due to AF tend to be more serious, with more damage to the brain and worse long-term effects."

The charity advises AF often has no symptoms which means you might only find out you have AF during a routine medical check-up or after a stroke. However is adds possible symptoms include palpitations where you feel as if "your heart is fluttering, thumping or skipping a beat". Other AF symptoms include tiredness, feeling breathless or faint, or having chest pain.

• If you are having symptoms or notice an abnormal pulse, contact your GP or call 111.
• If you are having worrying symptoms such as chest pains, severe shortness of breath or passing out, call 999.