Health library

Signs of a stroke

The signs of a stroke often appear suddenly-and they require fast action. Keep scrolling to learn more about important stroke warning signs and how to spot them.

F: Face drooping. Does one side of the face droop? Is it numb?

How to check: Ask the person to smile. Is the smile uneven?

A: Arm weakness. Is one arm weak or numb?

How to check: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S: Speech difficulty. Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand?

How to check: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like "The sky is blue." Can he or she repeat it correctly?

T: Time to call 911. If someone shows any of these signs, call 911 immediately-even if the signs go away. Make sure to note the time when the first symptoms appeared.

OTHER POSSIBLE SIGNS OF A STROKE

• Severe headache with no known cause.
• Sudden numbness or weakness of a leg.
• Sudden confusion or trouble understanding.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination.

If someone shows any of these signs, call 911 right away.

TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT A STROKE

Learning your stroke risk factors can help you understand what changes you need to make to protect your health.

Learn your risk