10 Early Warning Signs of a Stroke Everyone Should Know 🚨
A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Fast treatment can save brain tissue and improve recovery, so recognizing the signs quickly is critical.
1. Sudden face drooping
- One side of the face may feel weak or look uneven.
- Ask the person to smile—does one side droop?
2. Sudden weakness or numbness
- Especially in the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body.
- Ask the person to raise both arms—does one drift downward?
3. Trouble speaking
- Slurred speech, difficulty finding words, or trouble understanding others.
4. Sudden confusion
- A person may become disoriented or unable to answer simple questions.
5. Sudden vision problems
- Blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes.
6. Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
- Trouble walking, coordination problems, or feeling unusually unsteady.
7. Sudden severe headache
- Especially a sudden, intense headache unlike previous headaches, sometimes with nausea or vomiting.
8. Difficulty swallowing
- Problems controlling the muscles used for swallowing can occur after a stroke.
9. Sudden clumsiness
- Trouble with normal movements, dropping objects, or loss of coordination.
10. Sudden changes in alertness
- Fainting, extreme drowsiness, or unusual behavior changes.
Remember FAST:
- F — Face: Is one side drooping?
- A — Arms: Is one arm weak or numb?
- S — Speech: Is speech strange or slurred?
- T — Time: Call emergency services immediately.
