Knowing the warning signs of a stroke can be lifesaving because treatment is most effective when given quickly.The most widely recommended way to recognize a stroke is the FAST method:
- F – Face drooping: One side of the face droops or feels numb.
- A – Arm weakness: One arm becomes weak or numb.
- S – Speech difficulty: Speech becomes slurred or difficult to understand.
- T – Time to call emergency services: If any of these occur, seek emergency medical help immediately.
Other possible warning signs include:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion or difficulty understanding speech.
- Sudden trouble speaking.
- Sudden vision loss or blurred vision in one or both eyes.
- Sudden difficulty walking.
- Sudden dizziness or loss of balance.
- Sudden loss of coordination.
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
- Sudden trouble swallowing.
- Sudden unexplained weakness or collapse.
Important facts
- Stroke symptoms usually begin suddenly.
- Symptoms may come and go, especially with a Transient Ischemic Attack (“mini-stroke”), but even temporary symptoms require urgent medical attention.
- Do not wait to see if symptoms improve on their own.
When to seek help
If you or someone nearby develops any of these symptoms, call emergency services immediately. Prompt treatment can significantly reduce the risk of permanent disability and improve outcomes.
Common stroke risk factors
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Atrial fibrillation
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
The key message is simple: sudden neurological symptoms should always be treated as a medical emergency until proven otherwise.
