Recognizing stroke symptoms quickly can save lives. A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bleeds. Prompt medical attention is critical because treatments work best when started as soon as possible.
10 Early Warning Signs of a Stroke
- 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.
- Speech problems
- Slurred speech, trouble finding words, or difficulty understanding others.
- Sudden confusion
- New problems with thinking, awareness, or understanding.
- Vision changes
- Sudden blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes.
- Severe sudden headache
- A “worst headache ever” that appears without a clear cause may be a warning sign, especially with other symptoms.
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Sudden trouble walking, coordination problems, or feeling unsteady.
- Trouble swallowing
- Sudden difficulty moving food or liquids safely.
- Sudden weakness affecting coordination
- Dropping objects, difficulty using a hand, or clumsiness.
- Symptoms that appear suddenly
- Stroke symptoms often come on quickly, even if they seem mild at first.
Remember FAST:
- F — Face: Is one side drooping?
- A — Arms: Can both arms be raised?
- S — Speech: Is speech unclear?
- T — Time: Call emergency services immediately if any sign appears.
Do not wait to see if symptoms go away. Even symptoms that disappear after a few minutes may be a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which can be a warning sign of a future stroke and needs medical evaluation.
