10 warning signs of a stroke
The headline is reasonable as a reminder, but medically there aren’t exactly “10” official warning signs. The key is recognizing sudden neurological changes and acting immediately.
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CDC
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Possible warning signs include:
Sudden numbness or weakness, particularly in the face, arm, or leg on one side.
One side of the face drooping when smiling.
Sudden difficulty speaking or slurred speech.
Sudden difficulty understanding what other people are saying.
Sudden vision problems in one or both eyes.
Sudden dizziness or loss of balance.
Sudden difficulty walking or loss of coordination.
Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Sudden confusion or an unusual change in alertness.
Sudden inability or difficulty moving one side of the body.
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CDC
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Remember B.E. F.A.S.T.
B — Balance: sudden loss of balance or coordination
E — Eyes: sudden vision changes
F — Face: one side droops
A — Arms: one arm becomes weak or drifts downward
S — Speech: speech becomes slurred, strange, or difficult
T — Time: call emergency services immediately.
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CDC
Don’t wait to see if symptoms improve and don’t drive yourself to the hospital. Emergency medical services can begin assessment and treatment while transporting you. Note the time the symptoms started, because that information can affect treatment decisions.
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CDC
Importantly, symptoms that disappear after a few minutes can represent a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA is still a medical emergency and requires prompt evaluation because it can precede a major stroke.
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CDC
If these symptoms are happening right now, call your local emergency service immediately.
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