A stroke is a medical emergency caused by a sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain. The key to survival and recovery is recognizing the early warning signs quickly and acting immediately.
Here are 10 important early warning signs of a stroke:
1. Sudden weakness or numbness (especially on one side)
Often affects the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body.
2. Drooping face
One side of the face may look uneven or “slumped” when smiling.
3. Slurred or confused speech
Speech may become unclear, slow, or hard to understand.
4. Sudden confusion
Difficulty understanding simple conversations or instructions.
5. Loss of balance or coordination
Trouble walking, dizziness, or feeling unsteady.
6. Severe sudden headache
A very intense headache with no clear cause, sometimes described as “the worst headache.”
7. Vision problems
Blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes.
8. Sudden numbness in face, arm, or leg
Even without full weakness, a strange “dead” feeling can appear.
9. Trouble swallowing
Choking or difficulty managing saliva or food.
10. Sudden trouble understanding or speaking words
You may know what you want to say but can’t form the words properly.
FAST test (quick emergency check)
This is the simplest way to remember stroke signs:
- F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Is one side drooping?
- A – Arms: Can they raise both arms evenly?
- S – Speech: Is speech slurred or strange?
- T – Time: If yes to any → call emergency services immediately
