The most important thing to know about a stroke is that fast action can save brain function and lives. A simple way to remember warning signs is BE FAST:
- B — Balance: Sudden loss of balance, dizziness, or trouble walking.
- E — Eyes: Sudden vision changes, such as blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision.
- F — Face: One side of the face droops or feels numb, especially when smiling.
- A — Arms: Sudden weakness or numbness in one arm (or leg), especially on one side of the body.
- S — Speech: Trouble speaking, slurred speech, confusion, or difficulty understanding others.
- T — Time: If any of these signs appear, call emergency services immediately.
Other possible warning signs include:
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg.
- Sudden confusion or difficulty understanding speech.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of coordination.
- Sudden difficulty speaking or finding words.
- Sudden facial drooping.
- Sudden weakness on one side of the body.
- Sudden loss of sensation (tingling or numbness).
- A sudden, unusual headache that may be accompanied by other neurological symptoms.
If you suspect a stroke, do not wait to see if symptoms improve. Seek emergency medical help immediately and note the time symptoms started, because some stroke treatments work best when given quickly.
