Signs of a stroke: act F.A.S.T.
In short: a stroke is a medical emergency. If someone's face droops, an arm is weak or their speech is slurred, call 911 or your local emergency number straight away, even if the symptoms go away.
Use F.A.S.T. to spot a stroke
- F – Face: ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
- A – Arms: ask them to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downwards?
- S – Speech: ask them to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
- T – Time: if you see any of these signs, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
Other sudden warning signs
- Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Confusion, or trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
- A sudden, severe headache with no known cause
What to do
- Call an ambulance. Don't drive yourself or have someone drive you, and don't take a taxi. Ambulance crews can start care on the way and alert the hospital.
- Note the time the symptoms started. Doctors use this to decide on treatment.
- Call even if the symptoms go away. Short-lived symptoms can be a "mini-stroke" (transient ischaemic attack, or TIA), which is a warning that a stroke may follow.
Why speed matters
During a stroke, part of the brain isn't getting enough blood. Some treatments only work if they are given within a few hours of the symptoms starting, so every minute counts.
Sources
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH): Stroke signs and symptoms
- NIH MedlinePlus Magazine: FAST: how to spot a stroke and know when to call 911
- CDC: Know stroke symptoms