When Stroke Happens, Time Matters
Stroke is a medical emergency. The sooner someone receives emergency evaluation and treatment, the better the chance of limiting damage and improving recovery.
If stroke symptoms begin, call 911.
Do not drive yourself or the person experiencing symptoms to the hospital unless emergency services are unavailable.
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B — Balance
B — Balance
Sudden Loss of Balance
A person having a stroke may suddenly feel dizzy, unsteady, or have trouble walking. They may lose coordination or seem off balance for no clear reason.
What to look for:
- sudden dizziness
- trouble walking
- loss of coordination
- feeling unsteady
What to do:
If this happens suddenly along with any other stroke warning signs, call 911 right away. -
E — Eyes
E — Eyes
Sudden Vision Changes
A stroke can cause sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Vision may become blurry, double, or partially lost.
What to look for:
- blurred vision
- double vision
- loss of vision in one or both eyes
- sudden trouble seeing clearly
What to do:
Sudden vision changes should never be ignored. Call 911 if they appear suddenly. -
F — Face
F — Face
Face Drooping
Ask the person to smile. One side of the face may droop or feel numb.
What to look for:
- uneven smile
- drooping on one side of the face
- facial numbness
- one side not moving normally
What to do:
If one side of the face droops, call 911 immediately. -
A — Arm
A — Arm
Arm Weakness
Ask the person to raise both arms. One arm may drift downward, feel weak, or be numb.
What to look for:
- weakness in one arm
- numbness in one arm
- one arm drifting down
- trouble lifting both arms evenly
What to do:
Sudden weakness or numbness can be a major warning sign of stroke. Call 911. -
S — Speech
S — Speech
Speech Difficulty
Speech may become slurred, confused, or hard to understand. The person may also have trouble understanding what others are saying.
What to look for:
- slurred speech
- strange or confusing speech
- trouble speaking
- trouble understanding simple conversation
What to do:
Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. If it sounds wrong or they cannot repeat it, call 911 right away. -
T — Time
T — Time
Time to Call 911
If you notice any of these signs, even if they go away, call 911 immediately.
Stroke is a medical emergency. Fast treatment can make a big difference.
Remember:
- do not wait
- do not drive yourself if emergency help is available
- do not ignore symptoms, even if they improve
Call 911 immediately.
Other Possible Stroke Symptoms
BE FAST covers many common warning signs, but stroke can also cause sudden:
- confusion
- severe headache with no known cause
- numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
- difficulty understanding speech
- trouble walking or coordinating movement
If something changes suddenly and you are concerned about stroke, call 911.
