Warning signs
Understanding and being aware of the warnings signs of a stroke — as well as acting F.A.S.T. — could save a life and make recovery easier for the survivor.
F.A.ST. stands for FACE, ARM, SPEECH, TIME:
FACE DROOPING
Is one side of the face dropping? Look at their eye, cheek or lips to check for any unusual asymmetry or droopiness.
Arm weakness
Is the person experiencing arm weakness? Ask them to raise both arms to shoulder height and check for one arm that seems lower than the other.
Slurred speech
Is the person’s speech slurred, or are they speaking in an unintelligible way?
Time to call 911
It’s time to call 911 or your local emergency services. Be sure to tell them you think it’s a stroke.
Other important warning signs to be aware of are:
- The person seems to be having trouble understanding you or speaking coherently.
- The person appears to be confused, have trouble seeing or walking.
- The person is experiencing a painful headache.
- The person is experiencing numbness on their face, arm, legs, or a specific side of their body.
If you or someone around you are experiencing any of these warning signs, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately.
About Stroke
Risk factors
Learn about inherent risk factors — meaning we all have them — and factors you can manage in order to prevent a stroke.
Types of strokes
There are three main types of stroke: ischemic, hemorrhagic, and TIA; each one of them results in different treatment and recovery therapies.
Prevention
Learn about factors that we can control have to do with our lifestyle and certain medical conditions that are preventable and treatable.
