10 Early Warning Signs of a Stroke Everyone Should Know
A stroke is a medical emergency. Recognizing the signs quickly and getting emergency medical care can reduce the risk of permanent brain damage and disability.
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Sudden weakness or numbness — 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 what others are saying.
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Sudden facial drooping — one side of the face may feel numb or appear uneven when smiling.
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Sudden vision problems — blurred, double, or lost vision in one or both eyes.
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Sudden severe headache — particularly a sudden, unexplained headache that is unusually intense.
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Sudden dizziness or loss of balance — difficulty walking, coordination problems, or unexplained dizziness.
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Sudden confusion — difficulty understanding, thinking clearly, or responding appropriately.
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Sudden difficulty walking — stumbling or being unable to walk normally without an obvious cause.
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Sudden difficulty swallowing — choking or trouble swallowing can sometimes occur with a stroke.
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Sudden loss of coordination — unexpected difficulty controlling an arm, leg, or other movements.
Remember FAST
F — Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side droop?
A — Arms: Ask them to raise both arms. Does one drift downward?
S — Speech: Ask them to repeat a simple sentence. Is their speech slurred or unusual?
T — Time: If any of these signs appear suddenly, call emergency medical services immediately.
Even if the symptoms disappear after a few minutes, they can indicate a transient ischemic attack (TIA) and still require urgent medical evaluation. Don’t wait to see whether symptoms improve.
