Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke

Know When to BE FAST

  • Weakness. You may feel a sudden weakness, tingling, or a loss of feeling on 1 side of your face or body including your arm or leg. 

  • Vision problems. You may have sudden double vision or trouble seeing in 1 or both eyes.

  • Speech problems. You may have sudden trouble talking, slurred speech, or problems understanding others.

  • Headache. You may have a sudden, severe headache.

  • Movement problems. You may have sudden trouble walking, dizziness, a feeling of spinning, a loss of balance, a feeling of falling, or blackouts.

  • Seizure. You may also have a seizure with a large or hemorrhagic stroke. 

Remember: If you have any of these symptoms, call 911 and your doctor as soon as possible.

B.E. F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the signs of a stroke. When you see these signs, you will know that you need to call 911 fast. 

  • B is for balance - Sudden dizziness may occur.  The person cannot stand or balanced with one leg evelated.

  • E is for eyesight - Vision may become blurred. When the person looks at nearby objects they may be difficult to see.

  • F is for face drooping - One side of the face is drooping or numb. When the person smiles, the smile is uneven.

  • A is for arm weakness - One arm is weak or numb. When the person lifts both arms at the same time, one arm may drift downward.

  • S is for speech difficulty - You may notice slurred speech or difficulty speaking. The person can't repeat a simple sentence correctly when asked.

  • T is for time to dial 911 - If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if they go away, call 911 immediately. Make note of the time the symptoms first appeared.

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