Here are 10 early warning signs of a stroke everyone should know. Recognizing them quickly can help someone get urgent medical care and reduce the risk of serious complications.
- Sudden weakness or numbness
- Especially on one side of the face, arm, or leg.
- Face drooping
- One side of the face may feel weak or appear uneven when smiling.
- Trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Slurred speech, confusion, or difficulty finding the right words.
- Sudden vision problems
- Blurred vision, loss of vision, or double vision in one or both eyes.
- Severe, sudden headache
- A “worst headache ever” that appears suddenly, sometimes with dizziness or vomiting.
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Difficulty walking, dizziness, or feeling unusually unsteady.
- Sudden confusion
- Trouble understanding what is happening or where you are.
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sudden problems controlling muscles involved in swallowing.
- Sudden dizziness or vertigo
- A spinning sensation, especially when combined with other symptoms.
- Sudden weakness affecting daily activities
- Trouble lifting an arm, holding objects, or performing normal movements.
Remember the FAST test:
- F — Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side droop?
- A — Arms: Ask them to raise both arms. Does one drift downward?
- S — Speech: Ask them to repeat a simple sentence. Is speech strange or unclear?
- T — Time: If any sign appears, seek emergency medical help immediately.
A stroke is a medical emergency. Do not wait for symptoms to improve on their own—rapid treatment can make a major difference.
