Glossary terms - F

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH)

An inherited disorder characterised by a high level of serum cholesterol and early evidence of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

FAST test

"Face, Arm, Speech, Test". Simple reminder of the symptoms of stroke, to help public and paramedics to recognise likely cases of stroke.

FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation)

The principle of FES is to replace the nerve impulses to the muscles, that are interrupted by damage to the brain or spinal cord, with small electrical signals. Used in devices such as the Odstock dropped foot stimulator.

Field of vision

The area that you can see without moving your eyes (or your head).

Focal seizures

Epilepsy that occurs as a result of 'short circuiting' in the brain, which is confined to one area of the brain.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

An advanced magnetic scanning technique using to generate images of changing blood flow in the brain associated with neural activity. Increasingly used in early diagnosis, as it is very sensitive to early changes in the brain which follow stroke.