10 Early Warning Signs of a Stroke Everyone Should Know
A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted (ischemic stroke) or when a blood vessel in the brain bleeds (hemorrhagic stroke). Fast treatment can greatly improve outcomes, so recognizing warning signs is critical.
A helpful way to remember the main warning signs is BE FAST:
1. B — Balance problems
- Sudden dizziness
- Loss of coordination
- Trouble walking or feeling unsteady
2. E — Eye problems
- Sudden blurred vision
- Double vision
- Loss of vision in one or both eyes
3. F — Face drooping
- One side of the face may droop or feel numb.
- Ask the person to smile—does one side look uneven?
4. A — Arm weakness
- Sudden weakness or numbness in one arm (or one side of the body).
- Ask the person to raise both arms—does one drift downward?
5. S — Speech difficulty
- Slurred speech
- Trouble speaking or understanding words
- Confusion during conversation
6. T — Time to call emergency services
- If any of these signs appear suddenly, seek emergency help immediately.
Other possible stroke warning signs:
- Sudden severe headache
- Especially a headache that is unusual or described as the “worst headache ever.”
- Sudden numbness or weakness
- Particularly affecting one side of the body (face, arm, or leg).
- Sudden confusion
- Trouble understanding what is happening or difficulty following instructions.
- Sudden trouble swallowing
- Difficulty controlling muscles involved in swallowing can occur with some strokes.
What to do if you suspect a stroke
- Call emergency services immediately.
- Note the time symptoms started (or the last time the person was known to be well).
- Do not wait to see if symptoms improve.
- Do not give food, drink, or medication unless advised by medical professionals.
Even if symptoms disappear after a few minutes, it could be a transient ischemic attack (TIA)—sometimes called a “mini-stroke”—which can be a warning sign of a future stroke and still requires medical evaluation.
