10 Early Warning Signs of a Stroke
A stroke usually happens suddenly, so don’t wait for symptoms to become severe. The most important thing is recognizing a sudden change and getting emergency help immediately.
- Face drooping — one side of the face may suddenly become numb or droop when smiling.
- Arm or leg weakness — especially sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body.
- Speech problems — slurred speech, difficulty speaking, or difficulty understanding others.
- Sudden vision changes — blurred, double, or lost vision in one or both eyes.
- Sudden difficulty walking — stumbling, loss of coordination, or unexplained unsteadiness.
- Sudden dizziness or loss of balance — particularly when it occurs unexpectedly.
- Sudden severe headache — especially a sudden, unusually intense headache without an obvious cause.
- Sudden confusion — difficulty understanding, thinking, or responding appropriately.
- Sudden numbness — particularly involving the face, arm, or leg on one side.
- Sudden trouble swallowing — especially when accompanied by other neurological symptoms.
🚨 Think FAST
F — Face: Is one side drooping?
A — Arm: Can both arms be raised normally?
S — Speech: Is speech suddenly strange or slurred?
T — Time: Call emergency services immediately.
Even if the symptoms disappear after a few minutes, don’t ignore them. They may represent a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which can precede a major stroke.
Do not drive yourself to the hospital and don’t wait to see if symptoms improve. Note the time the symptoms began (or the last time the person was known to be normal), because this information can affect treatment decisions.
