🚨 10 Early Warning Signs of a Stroke Everyone Should Know

A stroke can happen suddenly, and early recognition can save brain function and reduce disability. The American Stroke Association recommends remembering B.E. F.A.S.T.

1. 🧍 Sudden loss of balance

New difficulty walking, dizziness, or loss of coordination can be a stroke symptom.

2. 👁️ Sudden vision changes

Blurred or double vision, or sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, can occur.

3. 🙂 Facial drooping

Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop or feel numb?

4. 💪 Arm weakness or numbness

Ask them to raise both arms. If one arm becomes weak, numb, or drifts downward, treat it as an emergency.

5. 🗣️ Speech difficulty

Speech may suddenly become slurred, confused, or difficult to understand. A person may also have trouble understanding what others say.

6. 🧠 Sudden confusion

Unexpected difficulty thinking, understanding, or communicating can be a warning sign.

7. 🦵 Sudden weakness or numbness on one side

This can affect the face, arm, or leg, particularly on one side of the body.

8. 🤕 Sudden, severe headache

A severe headache with no known cause, especially when it comes on suddenly, can be a stroke warning sign.

9. 🚶 Sudden difficulty walking

New trouble walking or coordinating movements can occur, particularly with posterior-circulation strokes.

10. 🤢 Sudden dizziness, nausea or vomiting

These can accompany certain strokes, especially when combined with severe imbalance, vision problems, weakness or speech changes.