10 Early Warning Signs of a Stroke
A stroke is a medical emergency. Symptoms can appear suddenly, and getting treatment quickly can reduce permanent brain injury.
- Sudden numbness or weakness — especially in the face, arm, or leg, particularly on one side of the body.
- Sudden trouble speaking — slurred speech, difficulty finding words, or inability to understand speech.
- Sudden facial drooping — one side of the face may droop or feel numb. Ask the person to smile.
- Sudden vision problems — blurred, double, or lost vision in one or both eyes.
- Sudden severe headache — especially an unusually intense headache with no obvious cause.
- Sudden dizziness or loss of balance — difficulty walking, coordination problems, or feeling as though the room is spinning.
- Sudden confusion — difficulty understanding what is happening or following simple instructions.
- Sudden difficulty swallowing — choking or inability to swallow normally.
- Sudden weakness on one side — for example, one arm drifting downward when both arms are raised.
- Sudden loss of coordination — difficulty controlling an arm or leg or performing a familiar task.
Remember FAST
- F — Face: Is one side drooping?
- A — Arms: Is one arm weak or numb?
- S — Speech: Is speech slurred or unusual?
- T — Time: Call emergency services immediately.
Even if symptoms disappear after a few minutes, they may indicate a transient ischemic attack (TIA) and still require urgent medical evaluation.
Do not drive the person yourself if emergency medical transport is available, and don’t wait to see whether symptoms improve.
