10 Early Warning Signs of a Stroke Everyone Should Know
A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. Recognizing the warning signs quickly and getting emergency care can greatly improve outcomes.
1. Sudden weakness or numbness
- Especially affecting one side of the face, arm, or leg.
- A person may suddenly struggle to lift or control one arm.
2. Facial drooping
- One side of the face may appear uneven or feel numb.
- Ask the person to smile—one side may not move normally.
3. Trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Speech may become slurred, unclear, or difficult to produce.
- The person may have trouble understanding simple sentences.
4. Sudden confusion
- A person may become disoriented or unable to understand what is happening.
5. Vision changes
- Sudden blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes.
6. Loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden dizziness, difficulty walking, clumsiness, or inability to maintain balance.
7. Sudden severe headache
- A sudden, intense headache—especially one that feels different from previous headaches—may be a warning sign.
8. Dizziness or spinning sensation
- Sudden vertigo may occur, sometimes with nausea or difficulty standing.
9. Trouble swallowing
- Some strokes can affect the muscles involved in swallowing.
10. Temporary stroke-like symptoms (TIA)
- Symptoms that disappear after a short time may still be serious.
- A transient ischemic attack (TIA) can be a warning that a larger stroke may occur.
Remember FAST:
- F — Face: Does one side of the face droop?
- A — Arms: Is one arm weak or numb?
- S — Speech: Is speech strange or unclear?
- T — Time: Call emergency services immediately.
What to do:
- Do not wait to see if symptoms improve.
- Note the time symptoms started, if possible.
- Seek emergency medical help immediately—even if symptoms go away.
Quick action can reduce brain damage and improve the chances of recovery.
