Stroke symptoms can appear suddenly and commonly affect one side of the body or impair speech and vision. If you or someone else experiences these signs, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Key warning signs to know (FAST)
- F ace: facial drooping or uneven smile
- A rms: weakness or numbness in one arm or leg
- S peech: slurred speech or trouble understanding speech
- T ime: time to call emergency services if any of these symptoms are present
Additional symptoms to watch for
- Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
- Numbness or weakness on one side of the face, arm, or leg
- Difficulty swallowing or drooling
What to do if you notice symptoms
- Call emergency services immediately. Do not drive yourself to the hospital if stroke is suspected.
- Note the time when symptoms started; this information helps healthcare providers determine treatment options.
- Do not eat or drink anything until cleared by medical professionals.
Prevention and risk factors (brief)
- Manage high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol
- Don’t smoke; limit alcohol
- Maintain a healthy weight, regular physical activity, and a balanced diet
- Be aware of a history of TIA (transient ischemic attack) or stroke in family
If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific person (age, medical history, risk factors) or provide quick guidance on how to perform a self-check or recognize symptoms in others.
