My grandmother is having a stroke — one side of her face has drooped!
'Ictus' = EEK-toos (Latin pronunciation in Italian). 'Caduto' = ka-DOO-toh. Stroke recognition phrase.
Calling 118 when you recognise stroke symptoms in another person — time is critical.
'Sta avendo' uses 'stare' + gerund for an ongoing action. 'Ictus' is the medical term for stroke (also called 'colpo apoplettico' in older Italian). Recognising stroke with the FAST test (Faccia — Braccia — Linguaggio — Tempo) is promoted by Italian healthcare campaigns. Every minute without treatment in stroke kills approximately 1.9 million brain cells — hence the Italian slogan 'il tempo è cervello' (time is brain).
Non riesce ad alzare le braccia — è uno stroke?
She can't raise her arms — is it a stroke?
FAST 'A' for Arms — one arm weaker than other is a key sign.
Parla in modo confuso — non capisce quello che le dico.
She's speaking confusedly — she doesn't understand what I'm saying.
FAST 'S' for Speech — slurred or confused speech is a stroke sign.
È caduta di colpo — non riesce a stare in piedi.
She suddenly fell — she can't stand up.
Sudden fall with loss of coordination — possible stroke or TIA.
Italy has a national stroke programme ('Rete dell'Ictus') with designated Stroke Units in hospitals. Thrombolysis treatment must begin within 4.5 hours of stroke onset; mechanical thrombectomy within 24 hours for large vessel occlusion. The Italian Stroke Association (ISA-AIS) promotes FAST awareness campaigns. The golden window in Italy is considered 3 hours for optimal treatment.