Knowing the warning signs of a stroke is important because fast treatment can greatly improve outcomes. A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted or when a blood vessel in the brain bleeds.
A helpful way to remember the main signs is FAST:
- F — Face drooping: One side of the face may feel numb or appear uneven when smiling.
- A — Arm weakness: Sudden weakness, numbness, or inability to raise one arm.
- S — Speech difficulty: Slurred speech, confusion, or trouble understanding others.
- T — Time to seek emergency help: Call emergency services immediately.
Other possible warning signs include:
- Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg—especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion or difficulty speaking or understanding speech.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden dizziness, loss of balance, or difficulty walking.
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
- Sudden difficulty swallowing.
- Sudden loss of coordination or unusual clumsiness.
- Sudden memory problems or changes in alertness.
- Temporary stroke-like symptoms that disappear after a few minutes (possible TIA or “mini-stroke”).
- New weakness or changes in sensation that feel unusual or unexplained.
What to do
If stroke symptoms appear, do not wait to see if they improve. Call emergency services right away—even if symptoms go away—because some treatments work best when started quickly.
Reducing stroke risk
- Control blood pressure.
- Manage cholesterol and diabetes.
- Avoid smoking.
- Stay physically active.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet.
- Take prescribed medications as directed.
- Attend regular health checkups.
A stroke can happen suddenly, so recognizing the signs and acting quickly can make a critical difference.
