Three strokes in 24 hours: What one Sunshine Coast man wants us to know.

A story in the news this weekend has stayed with me. A 39-year-old Sunshine Coast concreter had three strokes within 24 hours earlier this year. He only went to hospital after the first one had already happened. By then, the window for clot-busting treatment had closed. He has recovered well, but he still lives with some speech difficulties. His message is simple: "If we knew, I could have been better than I was."

I work with adults after brain injury, including stroke, and I hear a version of this often. People tell me they noticed something was off but thought it would pass. They were tired. They'd been working hard. They didn't want to make a fuss.

Why speech changes are an early sign

Speech and language are often among the first things to change in a stroke. You might notice:

• slurred or muddled speech,

• words coming out wrong, or not coming at all,

• difficulty understanding what someone is saying, and/or

• a drooping face or an arm that won't lift.

The Stroke Foundation uses the FAST check: Face, Arms, Speech, Time. If you see any of these signs, call 000 straight away. Time matters, and it is always better to be checked and told everything is fine than to wait.

Why I'm telling you this

Most of us picture a stroke as something dramatic and obvious. Sometimes it is. Sometimes it is a bit of slurring that settles, a word that won't come, or a feeling that someone "isn't quite themselves". Family members are often the first to spot it, because they know how the person usually talks.

If you've noticed a change in how someone speaks or understands, please don't wait to see if it passes. Stroke is also not only a problem for older people, as this story shows. The Stroke Foundation notes that many strokes can be prevented, and your GP is the best person to talk to about your own risk factors, blood pressure and heart health.

After a stroke: Where speech pathology fits?

Once someone is medically stable, speech pathologists can help with the things that make daily life hard: finding words, being understood, following conversations, and the confidence to join in again. Recovery looks different for everyone, and it is usually a longer road than people expect. Starting early, with a team who understand the person's life, makes a real difference.

If you're worried about yourself or someone you love, please see your GP, or call 000 if it is an emergency. This post is general information only and can't replace advice from your doctor.

World Stroke Day is on 29 October. If this post is useful, please share it with someone who might need to see it.

Dr Anna Copley is a Brisbane speech pathologist.