10 Early Warning Signs of a Stroke
A stroke is a medical emergency. Symptoms usually appear suddenly, and getting treatment quickly can reduce the risk of permanent brain injury. The American Stroke Association recommends remembering B.E. F.A.S.T. www.stroke.org+1
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Sudden loss of balance — unexpected difficulty walking, dizziness, or loss of coordination.
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Sudden vision changes — blurred or double vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes.
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Face drooping — one side of the face may suddenly become numb or droop when smiling.
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Arm weakness or numbness — particularly on one side; one arm may drift downward when both are raised.
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Speech difficulty — slurred speech, inability to speak normally, or difficulty understanding others.
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Sudden numbness or weakness — especially affecting one side of the face, arm, or leg.
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Sudden confusion — difficulty understanding what people are saying or becoming unexpectedly disoriented.
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Sudden trouble walking — new difficulty coordinating movements or staying upright.
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Sudden severe headache — especially a severe headache with no known cause.
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Sudden symptoms that disappear — don’t assume you’re safe because the symptoms resolve. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) can produce temporary stroke-like symptoms and requires urgent medical evaluation. www.stroke.org+1
🚨 Remember: B.E. F.A.S.T.
B — Balance loss
E — Eye/vision changes
F — Face drooping
A — Arm weakness
S — Speech difficulty
T — Time to call emergency services
If even one of these symptoms appears suddenly, note the time it started and call your local emergency medical service immediately—even if the symptoms improve or disappear. Don’t drive yourself to the hospital. www.stroke.org+1
For someone currently experiencing these symptoms, don’t wait to see whether they go away.
