10 Early Warning Signs of a Stroke Everyone Should Know
A stroke can happen suddenly, and every minute matters. Recognizing the warning signs and getting emergency medical help quickly can reduce the risk of permanent brain injury.
Use BE FAST as an easy reminder:
B — Balance: Sudden loss of balance, dizziness, or difficulty walking.
E — Eyes: Sudden blurred, double, or lost vision in one or both eyes.
F — Face: One side of the face suddenly droops or feels numb. Ask the person to smile.
A — Arms: Sudden weakness or numbness in one arm, especially on one side. Ask the person to raise both arms.
S — Speech: Speech becomes slurred, confused, or difficult to understand, or the person cannot find the right words.
T — Time: Call your local emergency service immediately. Don’t wait to see whether the symptoms disappear.
Other possible warning signs
Some strokes can also cause:
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, particularly on one side.
Sudden confusion or difficulty understanding others.
Sudden trouble speaking or communicating.
Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Sudden trouble walking, coordination problems, or severe dizziness.
What should you do?
If these symptoms appear suddenly, treat it as an emergency—even if they improve after a few minutes. A temporary episode could be a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a “mini-stroke,” which can be a warning of a future stroke.
Note the time the symptoms started (or the last time the person was known to be well), because this information can be important when doctors determine treatment options.
Don’t drive the person yourself if emergency medical services are available. Call for emergency help and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.
Remember: BE FAST — Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time.
If someone is experiencing these symptoms right now, don’t wait for an online answer—contact emergency medical services immediately.
