Stroke

Stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States. Stroke is preventable and treatable. Know the signs and symptoms of stroke and call 9-1-1 immediately if you think someone might be having a stroke. Every minute counts with stroke and fast treatment saves lives and reduces disabilities.

Know the Signs, Get Treatment, and B.E. F.A.S.T

signs and symptoms of stroke

B.E. F.A.S.T stands for:

Balance Loss

Does the person have loss of balance or are they dizzy? Are they walking differently?

Eyesight Change

Can the person see out of both eyes? Do they have sudden vision loss or vision loss?

Face Drooping

Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven?

Arm Weakness

Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech Difficulty

Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "The sky is blue." Is the sentence repeated correctly? Is the person having trouble understanding others or seems confused?

Time to call 9-1-1

If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 for an ambulance to get the person to the hospital immediately. Note the time when the first symptoms appeared and report it to the responding Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel.

Additional Warning Signs

Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body.
Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

A warning sign of stroke may last only a few minutes. During a stroke, every minute counts. Call 9-1-1 immediately. Fast treatment can lessen the brain damage that a stroke can cause. By knowing the signs and symptoms of stroke and calling 9-1-1, you can take quick action and possibly save a life!