10 Early Warning Signs of a Stroke
A stroke is a medical emergency. Symptoms often begin suddenly, and getting treatment quickly can reduce brain damage.
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Sudden numbness or weakness — especially in the face, arm, or leg, particularly on one side of the body.
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Sudden trouble speaking — slurred speech, difficulty finding words, or difficulty understanding others.
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Sudden vision problems — blurred, double, or lost vision in one or both eyes.
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Sudden severe headache — especially a headache with no known cause and an unusually intense or abrupt onset.
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Sudden dizziness or loss of balance — difficulty walking, coordination problems, or feeling as though the room is spinning.
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Sudden confusion — difficulty understanding what is happening or following a conversation.
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Facial drooping — one side of the face may droop or feel numb. Ask the person to smile.
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Arm weakness — one arm may drift downward when both arms are raised.
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Difficulty walking — sudden stumbling, inability to walk normally, or loss of coordination.
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Sudden difficulty swallowing — this can occur along with other neurological symptoms.
Remember FAST
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F — Face: Does one side droop when smiling?
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A — Arms: Is one arm weak or numb?
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S — Speech: Is speech slurred or unusual?
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T — Time: Call emergency medical services immediately.
Do not wait for symptoms to disappear and don’t drive the person yourself if emergency medical transport is available. Even if symptoms resolve after a few minutes, it could be a TIA (transient ischemic attack), which still requires urgent medical assessment.
If someone is experiencing these symptoms right now, seek emergency medical care immediately.
